Kanu’s Lawyers Withdraw From Trial As Police Arrest Sowore At Court Premises

Tension heightened at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as the legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), withdrew from his ongoing terrorism trial, while activist Omoyele Sowore was arrested shortly after the court proceedings.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, that he and the other Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the team were withdrawing from the case. Agabi told the court that Kanu had decided to take back his case and no longer required their representation.

Confirming the development, Kanu stated that he would be representing himself for the time being but might reconsider the decision later. Justice Omotosho asked whether he wanted the court to assign him a lawyer, but Kanu declined, insisting he would proceed on his own.

Addressing the court, Kanu further argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him on the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government. The court had earlier granted him six consecutive days, starting October 23, to open and close his defence following an accelerated hearing order.

In a separate but related incident, security operatives arrested Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, moments after he attended Kanu’s court session. Sowore was reportedly detained by police officers who had been monitoring activities at the court premises.

His arrest came just days after he led a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday, during which 13 demonstrators, including Kanu’s brother and lawyer, were arrested by security agencies. The protesters had demanded the immediate release of the detained IPOB leader.

Although details of Sowore’s arrest remain unclear as at press time, sources suggested it may be connected to his role in Monday’s protest and alleged defiance of police directives. Sowore had earlier taken to social media to condemn the crackdown, describing it as an act of repression and vowing to continue advocating for detained activists’ rights.

The dual developments have fueled fresh public interest in the high-profile trial, which continues to attract political and human rights attention across the country.