The planned opening of the defence by detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu was halted on Thursday after he abruptly dismissed his entire team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, who had been leading his legal representation. Agabi told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the decision followed Kanu’s choice to personally take back control of his case, prompting all SANs involved to withdraw from the proceedings.

The mass withdrawal included Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and another unnamed SAN. After confirming that he had relieved his lawyers of their duties, Kanu told Justice James Omotosho that he intended to conduct his defence by himself. The judge subsequently directed the remaining non-SAN members of the defence team to vacate the courtroom and called on Kanu to begin his defence immediately.

Kanu began by contesting the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial but was overruled by Justice Omotosho. Ikpeazu then appealed for an adjournment to allow Kanu time to organize his thoughts and prepare for the next stage of proceedings. The prosecution did not oppose the request, and the court subsequently adjourned the case to Friday, October 24, for the IPOB leader to open his defence on terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.

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