Lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi, has applied to withdraw from representing the detained self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stating that the defendant had taken the case back from his legal team.

All the senior advocates of Nigeria on the defence team have also withdrawn from the suit, a development Kanu confirmed in court.

The defendant told the court that he would be representing himself for now, though that might change later. When the judge asked if he should be assigned a lawyer, he declined the offer.

Defending himself orally, Kanu argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said the IPOB leader has the right to defend himself and that they wish him well.

“A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defence by himself. He has the right to do so, we respect that decision and we wish him well going forward,” Agabi said.

The IPOB leader returned to the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday to open his defence in the suit instituted against him by the Federal Government on alleged terrorism.

The case is presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

When the case was called, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who had led Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team until Thursday, announced his decision, along with other SANs on the team, to withdraw from the case.

He named the other SANs withdrawing as Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and one other.

After Kanu confirmed the sacking of his lawyers, Justice Omotosho then ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team who were in court, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom immediately.