By Huldah Shado
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday withdrew as lead counsel in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Agabi told the court that he and other senior lawyers had stepped down after Kanu opted to represent himself. “The defendant has decided to take back the case from us,” he said.
Kanu confirmed the decision, telling Justice James Omotosho he would handle his defence for now and declined the judge’s offer to assign him a lawyer.
The IPOB leader, facing a seven-count terrorism charge, later made an oral submission challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Omotosho had earlier granted Kanu six days, beginning October 23, to open and close his defence.
