Former lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has announced that his legal team fully respects the IPOB leader’s decision to personally handle his defence.
Agabi made this statement on Thursday after formally withdrawing from the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists, Agabi explained that Kanu’s choice to represent himself is his constitutional right and emphasized that the defence team has no objections.
“He has decided to conduct his defence by himself. He has a right to do so. We respect that decision; we wish him well going forward,” Agabi stated.
In court, Kanu confirmed his decision, prompting Agabi and all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on the defence team to step down.
While addressing the presiding judge, Kanu informed the court that he would represent himself “for now” but left the possibility of hiring legal counsel in the future. When the judge offered to assign a lawyer, Kanu declined, insisting on continuing alone.
During the session, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the charges filed by the Nigerian government, a position he has maintained throughout the trial.