The troubles of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, are increasing by the day, as former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, has formally applied to withdraw his appearance for the IPOB leader.
Kanu was due to open defence today, Thursday, October 23, and was scheduled to last for six days, from October 23 to 28. Earlier in the week, Kanu, in a motion he personally endorsed and filed with the court, requested an extension of time from 90 days to enable him to establish his innocence.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Chief Agabi, SAN, announced his decision to pull out from the case.
He told the court that Kanu, who has elected to defend himself, took his case file from him and the other senior lawyers who were part of his legal team.
Kanu confirmed it from the box, telling the court that he would henceforth represent himself. He also declined the offer by the trial judge, Justice James Omotoshe, for a lawyer to be provided for him.
The IPOB leader has named several individuals, including serving governors, ministers, former governors, and security chiefs, among the 23 persons he intends to present as his witnesses. He described them as vital and compelling witnesses in his case.
In his role as his own lawyer, though, Kanu is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the seven-count terrorism-related charge the Federal Government preferred against him.
