Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has dismissed his legal team and will represent himself as his defence begins in a terrorism trial, challenging the court’s jurisdiction in a move that underscores the ongoing tensions over Biafran independence.
On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Nnamdi Kanu, the 58-year-old leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), opened his defence in a Federal High Court in Abuja by firing his lawyers and announcing he would act as his own counsel. He immediately contested the court’s authority to try him, arguing that it lacked jurisdiction, but the presiding judge swiftly rejected this preliminary objection and ordered him to proceed with his defence.
Kanu faces serious charges of terrorism and incitement to violence, which he has consistently denied. IPOB, which he heads, is an outlawed organization seeking the secession of south-eastern Nigeria to form an independent Biafran state, a cause that has historical roots in the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970. The group was designated as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, has been implicated in numerous violent incidents in recent years.
During the session, Kanu did not provide any explanation for his decision to sack his lawyers, who have remained silent on the matter. Just a day earlier, he had submitted a list of high-profile witnesses for his defence, including former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, who was in office at the time of Kanu’s controversial re-arrest in 2021. This move suggests a strategic shift in his legal approach, potentially aiming to highlight governmental actions in his case.
Kanu’s legal battles span nearly a decade, beginning with his initial arrest in October 2015 on terrorism charges. He jumped bail in 2017 and fled Nigeria after a military raid on his home, leading to the revocation of his bail in 2019. In 2021, the Nigerian government announced his re-arrest, with his lawyers claiming he was detained in Kenya and extradited, though Kenyan authorities have not confirmed this. The case has seen multiple twists, including a 2022 Court of Appeal ruling that dropped the charges, only for the Supreme Court to reinstate them in 2023.
Kanu, who holds British citizenship, has argued that his continued detention is unlawful, citing the appeal court’s earlier decision and accusing the government of contempt. However, the judge noted that this issue had been addressed in prior hearings. His trial has sparked significant public interest and unrest, with protests erupting in Abuja on Monday, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds demanding his release. Despite the legal challenges, Kanu remains a revered figure among his supporters in the south-east, where calls for Biafran independence persist.
The decision to self-represent could complicate the trial, potentially prolonging proceedings and increasing the emotional toll on Kanu. It also raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the judicial process in a case that has drawn international attention. The outcome may have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s unity and the treatment of separatist movements, as the government continues to combat insurgencies across the country.
With the defence now underway, the court is expected to hear testimony from witnesses in the coming sessions. Kanu’s ability to navigate the legal system without professional counsel will be closely watched, and any missteps could impact the trial’s trajectory. The case highlights the deep-seated ethnic and political divisions in Nigeria, and its resolution could influence future governance and security policies in the region.