In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has disengaged his entire defence legal team and opted to handle his case personally. The decision came during Thursday’s court session, shortly before the continuation of his terrorism-related trial. His former lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that his client had chosen to represent himself. “A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defence by himself,” Agabi stated. “We respect his decision and wish him well.” Following this announcement, the legal representatives formally withdrew from the case and left the courtroom. Kanu has been standing trial since 2015 on multiple charges bordering on terrorism and calls for the secession of Nigeria’s South-East region. His ongoing detention and trial have sparked wide national and international attention. The court was set to hear the opening of the defence proceedings when the sudden disengagement occurred. Reports suggest that the move might cause delays as Kanu decides on how to proceed further—either to continue representing himself or appoint a new team later. Prior to the development, Kanu’s lawyers had applied for his transfer to the National Hospital Abuja, citing medical reasons. However, a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) later certified him fit for trial after an independent examination. Kanu had also filed a motion naming several government and security officials as potential witnesses in his defence, indicating that he intends to take an active role in his legal representation. This latest move has raised fresh speculation about internal disagreements and possible changes in legal strategy. As of press time, no official statement has been released by the IPOB leader or his representatives explaining the reason behind the decision.