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Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu Last Chance to Enter Defence or Forfeit It
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a final opportunity to the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to either open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or forfeit the right to do so.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho said it was his responsibility as the presiding judge to ensure that the defendant was given ample opportunity to present his case.
The judge made the remarks while ruling on an application by the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who urged the court to foreclose Kanu’s right to defence after he failed to utilize five out of the six days earlier allocated for that purpose.
Awomolo reminded the court that the matter had been adjourned from Tuesday to Wednesday for Kanu to open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right. However, upon resumption of proceedings, the IPOB leader again declined to enter any defence, insisting that there were no valid charges against him.
Addressing the court from the dock, Kanu maintained that he would not defend himself, arguing that the charges preferred against him were defective and unconstitutional.
“The charges against me are not valid, and as such, there is nothing to defend,” Kanu reportedly told the court.
In response, the prosecution urged the judge to record Kanu’s refusal as a waiver of his right to defence and to adjourn for judgment.
Justice Omotosho, however, ruled that the court would grant the defendant one final opportunity to enter his defence before taking any further decision. The matter was consequently adjourned to a later date for continuation of trial.
Kanu has been in custody since his re-arrest in 2021, facing multiple counts related to alleged terrorism, incitement, and membership of the proscribed IPOB group.
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