Nnamdi Kanu sacks lawyers, decides to defend self in terrorism trial

By Paul Dada

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he will now be the one to defend himself in his ongoing trial for terrorism.

He  is currently facing a seven-count charge of terrorism, filed against him by the Federal Government.

The IPOB leader confirmed this to the court on Thursday morning when Kanu Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation who served as the IPOB leader’s lead counsel to the court that he and his team would no longer represent their client.

When the case was called, Agabi informed  the court that Kanu had chosen to take back control of his defence.

In a similar move, all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) involved in the matter also announced their withdrawal.

Confirming the development, the IPOB leader told the court he would be representing himself for now, although he said that this position might change later.

Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, asked whether he should assign a counsel to represent Kanu, but the defendant declined the offer.

Meanwhile, Kanu while addressing the court,  argued orally that it lacked jurisdiction to try him.

Meanwhile, the  court has ordered that the IPOB leader, to open his defence  in the trial, on Friday.