The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Friday, October 24, to allow him time to open his defence.
The adjournment followed the sudden withdrawal of Kanu’s entire legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), during Thursday’s proceedings.
Agabi informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates were withdrawing from the case because “the defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that.”
Following the announcement, Justice James Omotosho asked Kanu to confirm the development. Kanu acknowledged that he had dismissed all his lawyers and expressed readiness to conduct his defence personally.
The judge then directed all remaining members of the defence team, except the withdrawing SANs, to vacate the courtroom.
When invited to open his defence, Kanu began to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial, but the judge overruled him and insisted that the proceedings must go on.
However, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), one of the withdrawing lawyers, appealed to the court to grant Kanu some time to compose himself before continuing with his defence.
The prosecution did not object to the plea, prompting Justice Omotosho to adjourn the case until Friday, October 24, for the IPOB leader to begin his defence.
I stand with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu..this great Injustice must stop. The Nigerian government cannot continue to detain a man who fights for the liberation of his people from the shackles of marauders while bandits who openly killed, destroyed lives and properties, crippled the economy are being granted presidential pardon. #FREENNAMDIKANUNOW#
There is interesting time ahead.. how can u stand pro se. to a case of that magnitude.. the security guards should just be on alert. So dat the unexpected will not happen.. maybe it’s a ploy to wash off anybody incase the unexpected happens that’s why the lawyers were instructed to excuse themselves from the case..
He’s a lawyer and is able to defend himself,so shut up.