The withdrawal is in protest against the proceedings of the trials before a court in the capital, Abidjan.
Reports say the defence lawyers are angry at the court’s refusal to allow them to call politicians and other prominent officials as witnesses.
These include the current parliamentary speaker and former rebel leader GUILLAUME SORO and former army chief, PHILIPE MANGOU.
You will recall that SIMONE GBAGBO is on trial for her role in the deadly violence that followed disputed election in 2010, after her husband and former president; LAURENT GBAGBO refused to step down after he lost a re-election bid.
More than three thousand people were killed in the four months of clashes, but SIMONE GBAGBO denies the charges.
