Nnamdi Kanu Fires Legal Team

…Elects to Represent Himself in Terrorism Trial

…It’s a Defence Strategy, Says Analyst

ABUJA – In a dramatic courtroom development on Thursday, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, dismissed his high-profile legal team and announced he would represent himself in his ongoing terrorism trial.

The unexpected move came shortly after Kanu was brought into the Federal High Court by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Following a brief exchange with his lead counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN), Kanu personally took possession of his case files and informed the lawyers they were discharged from representing him.

The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, confirmed the defendant’s decision directly. “I will be representing myself,” Kanu stated, after which he declined the judge’s offer to assign him a legal representative.

In response, Agabi (SAN) formally announced the withdrawal of all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria from the case. The proceeding was then punctuated by Kanu repeatedly shouting that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him.

This pivotal shift occurs as Kanu is scheduled to open his defense, having previously lost a “no-case” submission.

Analyst Points to Political Defense Strategy

Commenting on the development, Abuja-based senior lawyer Kenneth Ikonne suggested that Kanu’s actions may be part of a deliberate tactic to politicize his trial.

In a social media post titled “Understanding Kanu’s Defence Tactics,” Ikonne noted that a list of proposed defense witnesses seen by him “panders to theatre and spectacle.” He theorized that Kanu aims to call high-profile figures, including serving governors, to the stand.

“I have seen Nnamdi Kanu’s proposed list of defence witnesses,” Ikonne wrote. “The list panders to theatre and spectacle, but I understand the game Kanu is trying to play: he wants to turn the trial into a political one.”

Ikonne explained that the strategy may involve having these witnesses declared “hostile,” which would then allow Kanu to cross-examine them in an effort to “expose… the convoluted series of events that fed Kanu’s anger and eventual agitation.”

However, the lawyer highlighted significant legal hurdles. He pointed out that serving governors are protected by constitutional immunity from being compelled to testify. Furthermore, a judge may be reluctant to subpoena other proposed witnesses, such as former Minister T.Y. Danjuma, if their testimony is deemed irrelevant to the specific charges.

“For Kanu, it’s evidently a long walk to freedom, but given the circumstances, it may be his best shot,” Ikonne concluded, adding, “Interesting days ahead!”

The case has been adjourned, and the court will now await Kanu’s next steps as he prepares to mount his own defense.