Kanu Again Dismisses Legal Team, Files Self-Defence Case

Nnamdi Kanu Begins Self-Defense in Terrorism Trial

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges of terrorism, has begun his self-defense before a Federal High Court in Abuja. This marks a significant shift in his legal strategy, as he has now decided to represent himself after sacking his legal team for the sixth time.

Kanu confirmed to the court that he was prepared to defend himself, following the withdrawal of his previous legal team. The six legal teams that have represented him include the lead defense counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who announced that the team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, comprising Onyechi Ikpeazu, Paul Erokoro, Joseph Akubo, and Emeka Etiaba, will be withdrawing from the matter. Agabi explained that the reason for their withdrawal was because the defendant had taken this case back from them and they respected that decision.

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice Omotosho sought Kanu’s response, and he confirmed that he was prepared to defend himself and conduct the case by himself. The judge then ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team who were in court, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom immediately. The judge then turned to the defendant and asked him to open his case.

Kanu commenced arguing about the jurisdiction of the court to further conduct his trial, but the court overruled him and asked him to proceed with his defense. At that point, Ikpeazu intervened and drew the attention of the court to the fact that the legal team’s withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday, and as such, Kanu would need some time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead. The prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned till today for Kanu to open his defense.

A History of Legal Changes

In the course of his trial, Kanu’s case has been handled by six different legal teams and transferred to six different judges in Abuja. Some of the lawyers who have been sacked by Kanu include:

Vincent Obetta – appeared for Kanu immediately after he was arrested and charged before a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 in 2015. A disagreement forced him out of the legal team in 2016.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor – became Kanu’s lawyer in 2016 and led the team, which comprised Maxwell Opara, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, among others, when the matter was moved to the Federal High Court.
Chuks Muomah – a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, appeared for Kanu in 2016 and decided to withdraw after a controversy involving his defense for one of the defendants, Madubugwu, who also had another lawyer.
Aloy Ejimakor – has been working as Kanu’s special counsel with a team of lawyers since 2019.
Mike Ozekhome – the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his legal team also appeared in January 2022.
Kanu Agabi – in 2025, Kanu Agabi led his colleagues among the most prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, Paul Erokoro, Joseph Akubo, and Emeka Etiaba. They withdrew from the matter on October 23, after Kanu indicated his intention to represent himself.

Judges Who Have Handled the Matter

Kanu’s case has also been handled by several judges, including:

Magistrate Shuaibu Usman – presided over the matter at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, where Kanu was charged with belonging to an unlawful society and criminal intimidation of the president. The court ordered his discharge for want of evidence.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola – after the DSS withdrew the trial at the Magistrate Court, the matter was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Adeniyi Ademola. The judge in December 2015 ordered the release of Kanu for being charged with similar offences, on which he had been previously discharged.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed – the DSS had the matter re-assigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same Federal High Court in Abuja on fresh six-count charges of treason, importation of illegal radio station and possession of firearms, alongside two other members of the IPOB. Kanu, however, refused to enter the plea until the previous two rulings were honoured by the government.
Justice John Tsoho – in 2016, the matter of treason and importation of an illegal radio transmitter was reassigned to Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court. However, Kanu’s legal team filed a petition against Justice Tsoho before the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing him of ‘judicial rascality’ in his alleged parallel rulings on shielding of witnesses for the main trial by reversing a previous favorable ruling to the defense.
Justice Binta Nyako – in November 2016, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed an amended 11-count charges against Kanu and two others – Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – now discharged, on allegations of terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods.
Justice James Omotosho – following Justice Nyako’s recusal in 2024, Justice James Omotosho received the casefile and ordered an accelerated hearing in the matter, and the federal government has concluded its evidence.

Witnesses Included in the Defense

Kanu’s family and former lawyer have explained why he included some prominent current and former public officials on the list of defense witnesses he hopes to rely on as he begins the defense. In the list he signed and filed on October 21, the witnesses are divided into two categories: Category A: ordinary but material defense witnesses (voluntary); and Category B: vital and compellable witnesses (to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The compellable witnesses include:

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami
Former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar
Former DG of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi
Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd)
A former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd)

Others under the category are: