The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to open his defence on October 24 in the terrorism charges filed against him by the federal government.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the defendant must begin his defence without fail, warning that failure to do so would amount to waiving his legal right to defend himself.
The decision came after Kanu requested a three-month adjournment to prepare, despite having earlier insisted on personally conducting his defence. The judge reminded him that the case was already on an accelerated hearing schedule and that such a lengthy delay could not be accommodated.
Kanu, however, persisted in challenging the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that there were “four jurisdictional defects” in the case. He said: “Going forward, I am making an oral application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try me. On the face of the records before this court, there are four jurisdictional defects in the matter. The Federal Government is in contempt of the Court of Appeal. I have been discharged by the Appeal Court but I remained in detention for 14 more months.”
He further argued that the law under which he was being tried had been repealed and that he had been denied proper consultation with his legal team during his nearly five years in detention. Kanu also alleged that the medical report declaring him fit to stand trial was forged, claiming that no blood or urine samples had been taken to conduct the supposed tests.
“If not for your mercy, My Lord, to grant us three hours to hold a conference in this courtroom, I would have been compelled to enter my defence in a capital offence without proper consultation with my lawyers,” he said.
Responding, counsel to the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), dismissed Kanu’s submissions as procedural distractions, saying they did not align with standard court processes.
Justice Omotosho ruled that all preliminary objections would be addressed at a later stage, reiterating that Kanu must proceed with his defence. The judge noted that most of Kanu’s arguments had been raised previously but assured that they could still be reflected in his final written address.
At this point, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, appealed to the court as a friend of the court, requesting an adjournment until October 24 to allow Kanu to prepare adequately. Justice Omotosho, however, clarified that only Kanu could make such a request since he had chosen to represent himself.
“I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity given to him to enter his defence or waive it if he wishes,” the judge said.
Kanu maintained that he needed more time to prepare, especially given the capital nature of the charges and his need to assemble witnesses.
In the end, the court ordered that Nnamdi Kanu must open his defence without fail on Friday, October 24.
