BLESSING OMALE, Abuja
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 open his defence in his ongoing trial on alleged terrorism charges.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho emphasized that it was his duty as a judge to give the defendant sufficient time to present his defence before the court could take any further decision on the matter.
He warned, however, that failure to take advantage of this final opportunity would result in Kanu being foreclosed from defending himself.
The judge’s decision followed an application by the lead prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who urged the court to close the defendant’s case.
Awomolo argued that Kanu had already used up five of the six days allocated by the court for his defence without calling any witnesses or presenting evidence.
Awomolo reminded the court that at Tuesday’s sitting, the matter was adjourned to Wednesday specifically for Kanu to enter his defence or risk being deemed to have waived his right to do so.
Despite this, he noted, Kanu once again declined to proceed with his defence when the case resumed.
The senior lawyer also drew the court’s attention to the defendant’s consistent claim that there is “no valid charge” against him and therefore no basis for him to open a defence.
He consequently urged the court to take judicial notice of Kanu’s stance, foreclose his defence, and adjourn for judgment.
When given an opportunity to speak, Kanu, who appeared in person and represented himself, reiterated from the dock that he would not enter any defence.
He maintained that the charges against him were invalid and should not warrant any response from him.
Justice Omotosho, however, ruled that in the interest of justice and fair hearing, Kanu would be granted one last chance to present his case before the court proceeds to determine the matter.
Kanu has been facing trial on multiple charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and other related offences filed by the Federal Government.
The case has been ongoing since his re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021 after years of legal battles and political controversy surrounding his separatist activities and the operations of IPOB.
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