In a dramatic development during a court session on Monday, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), shocked everyone by dismissing his legal team and opting to represent himself. Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges, expressed his discontent with the Nigerian justice system, accusing it of bias and unfair treatment.
The court proceedings, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saw Kanu instructing his lawyers to step aside, declaring that he no longer wished to be represented by them. Maxwell Opara, one of Kanu’s attorneys, explained that the IPOB leader felt that the government had failed to address his calls for self-determination, leading to his disillusionment with the legal process.
Opara shared Kanu’s frustration, stating that the IPOB leader viewed himself as a human rights activist fighting for the rights of the Igbo people. He expressed the belief that the government’s disregard for these concerns was contributing to the unrest in the region.
Kanu also raised concerns about other cases, like that of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), whose issues were resolved politically. He questioned why his case was treated differently, hinting that his detention was politically motivated.
The proceedings saw Kanu using harsh language, which his lawyers tried to calm, but he insisted they step aside. “I no longer want you to represent me,” Kanu told them, signaling his intent to handle his defense on his own despite not being a lawyer.
The session was abruptly adjourned, with Justice Binta Nyako postponing the case indefinitely. Opara clarified that the court had lost jurisdiction over the case since September 2024 when Justice Nyako recused herself, and no judge had been reassigned to the matter yet. The defense team emphasized that they appeared in court out of respect for the judiciary but reaffirmed their belief that the court had no jurisdiction over the case.
Opara further criticized any attempt to bring the case back before Justice Nyako, describing such efforts as unconstitutional. He reiterated calls for the Nigerian government to resolve the matter politically, noting the widespread calls for Kanu’s release to restore peace in the Southeast.
Meanwhile, Kanu made grave accusations against Justice Binta Nyako, accusing her of presiding over his trial for personal gain. He claimed that her family members were facing corruption charges, and the government had used her position to secure their release, a statement that has caused a stir on social media. Kanu also pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously declared Nyako biased and ordered her recusal, but the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court ignored this order, reassigning the case to her.
Kanu expressed his disbelief that the trial continued under Nyako’s jurisdiction, despite her previous withdrawal. He dismissed the proceedings as unjust and vowed not to recognize any rulings from Nyako. The IPOB leader further asserted his right to agitate for Biafra’s independence, echoing his stance that the government had violated his rights by illegally detaining him.
Kanu’s legal journey began in 2015, and despite the Court of Appeal’s ruling in October 2022, which found his extradition illegal, the government has resisted his release. The matter was recently appealed to the Supreme Court, which reversed the lower court’s decision and ordered the continuation of his trial. Kanu’s case remains a flashpoint for political and legal debate in Nigeria.
