A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has formally withdrawn from representing detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Agabi, who had previously led Kanu’s defence team, announced his withdrawal during Thursday’s court proceedings, citing the IPOB leader’s decision to take full control of his own defence. He disclosed that Kanu had retrieved his case file from him and other senior lawyers on the team.
Confirming the development from the dock, Kanu told the court he would henceforth represent himself, rejecting Justice James Omotosho’s offer to assign him another counsel.
In his first move as his own lawyer, Kanu immediately challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him on the seven-count terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, also filed a new motion requesting the court’s approval to call 23 witnesses, including several serving and former governors, ministers, and top security officials, whom he described as “vital and compellable witnesses.”
Among those listed are:
- Hope Uzodimma (Governor of Imo State)
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor of Lagos State)
- Nyesom Wike (Minister of the FCT)
- Abubakar Malami (former Attorney General of the Federation)
- Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) (former Chief of Army Staff)
- Dave Umahi (Minister of Works)
- Okezie Ikpeazu (former Governor of Abia State)
- Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) (former Minister of Defence)
- Ahmed Rufai Abubakar (former DG, NIA)
- Yusuf Bichi (former DG, DSS)
Kanu, in his motion dated October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, also sought a 90-day extension to present his defence — up from the six days earlier granted by the court arguing that the additional time was necessary given the number and prominence of the witnesses he intends to summon.
He urged the court to issue subpoenas compelling their appearance, insisting their testimonies would help prove his innocence against the terrorism charges he faces.