Legal Team Withdraws: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Defence Takes a Dramatic Turn
October 23, 2025 – Abuja, Nigeria
Background
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been engaged in a high-profile legal battle with the Nigerian Government. He faces a **seven-count charge** bordering on terrorism and treason, filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. 2 His case has been marked by lengthy detentions, jurisdictional disputes and repeated court adjournments. 3
The Withdrawal of the Legal Team
In a dramatic development during the resumed hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, lead counsel Kanu Agabi, SAN, formally notified the court of his withdrawal from representing Kanu. 6 He indicated that his client had taken custody of his file and had elected to conduct his own defence. 7
Further, all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) previously on the defence team also formally stepped down. Kanu confirmed this in court. 8
Kanu to Represent Himself
With his legal team withdrawn, Nnamdi Kanu announced that he would henceforth represent himself in the trial. He declined when the court offered to assign new counsel to him. 9
In his first appearance as self-represented, he challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the terrorism/treason charges, and filed a motion naming 23 “vital and compellable” witnesses including statesmen, military and intelligence officials. 10
Implications of the Move
- Legal risk and opportunity: Representing oneself in such a serious trial brings considerable risk—lack of professional counsel, potential procedural missteps—but also enables a defendant to control the narrative and strategy directly.
- Jurisdiction under attack: Kanu’s challenge centers on his view that the court lacks jurisdiction in the matter, raising fresh constitutional and procedural issues. 11
- Witness list and strategy change: The motion to summon high-profile officials signals a shift in defence strategy from purely legal to highly political, by implicating senior actors as witnesses. 12
- Public & political dimension: The withdrawal of top legal counsel may reflect internal tensions or broader political calculations in the sensitive secessionist case that IPOB represents. It will attract attention beyond the courtroom—in media, public opinion and among stakeholders in the southeast region.
What Happens Next?
The Court has been asked by Kanu to grant a 90-day period for him to prepare his defence and to issue subpoenas for his listed witnesses. 13 The judge indicated the next sitting will address these requests and determine whether the case will proceed under self-representation. 14