In a dramatic twist in his long-running terrorism trial, detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday fired his entire legal team and told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he would now represent himself.
Kanu, who stunned both the court and his lawyers with the announcement, declared that he was “ready and willing to conduct his own case.”
The lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), confirmed the development, explaining that the team was withdrawing “out of respect for the defendant’s decision.” Other senior advocates stepping down included Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba.
Justice James Omotosho then directed all other defence lawyers, apart from the senior advocates, to vacate the courtroom — a move they complied with immediately.
Taking charge of his own defence, Kanu refused to open his case as previously ordered, insisting the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.
“This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case,” Kanu argued, citing four main grounds.
He claimed the Federal Government was in contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment that ordered his acquittal, and that the laws under which he was charged — the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and the Customs and Excise Act — had been repealed.
Kanu also alleged he was denied a fair hearing due to continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), which, he said, prevented him from adequately consulting his lawyers.
In a stunning accusation, he further alleged that a medical report submitted by a team set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) — which declared him fit to stand trial — was “forged”, saying he was never examined nor had any samples taken.
He asked the court to nullify the proceedings and order his immediate release in line with the appellate court’s judgment.
Lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) dismissed Kanu’s oral claims, arguing that they were “baseless and unsupported by any sworn affidavit.”
He reminded the court that the Supreme Court had set aside the earlier Court of Appeal judgment in December 2023 and maintained that the trial must proceed.
Awomolo also said Kanu’s allegation of a forged medical report amounted to “an indictment” of his former legal team, who reviewed and accepted the document without objection.
Justice Omotosho noted that the medical report had already been admitted and acted upon, meaning the court could not revisit the issue.
The day’s proceedings ended with chaos outside the courtroom as security operatives arrested activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who had appeared in solidarity with Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore was whisked away by armed policemen after being accused of leading protesters into a restricted area, allegedly violating a subsisting court order.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Sowore’s arrest followed statements from 13 previously detained protesters who named him as their leader.
“Today, Omoyele Sowore has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested. The reason is straightforward. The 13 people previously arrested all mentioned that Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin explained. He added that it would be unjust to prosecute those earlier arrested while leaving out the person alleged to have led them.
He confirmed that eight suspects were arrested near the Transcorp area and five others around the Ministry of Finance earlier in the week, bringing the total number to 13.
