Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu Final Chance To Present Defence

Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu Final Chance To Present Defence In Terrorism Trial.
Judge warns defence lawyers against public commentary.
Case adjourned to November 7 for continuation.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a final opportunity to present his defence in the ongoing terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, issued the warning on Wednesday, noting that the court had already extended several chances to the defendant to respond to the charges.

Justice Omotosho said, “We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But I am bound to give him another opportunity. If he does not, I will deem him closed. I know that he is an economist and not a lawyer, so I will give him this last opportunity to put in his defence. Failure to do so, he would be deemed closed.”

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to November 7 for continuation of the trial.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to foreclose Kanu’s right to defence, stating that he had failed to use five out of six days earlier allotted for that purpose.

Awomolo maintained that despite the court’s directive to open his defence, Kanu had refused to do so, claiming there were no valid charges against him.

Speaking from the dock, Kanu insisted he would not enter any defence, arguing that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) was illegal and that he should be released unconditionally.

Justice Omotosho also cautioned Kanu’s former lawyers—Ifedayo Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Opara, and Prince Mandela Umegburu—who now serve as his consultants, to adhere strictly to professional conduct after the prosecution accused them of granting media interviews about the ongoing case.

The judge stressed that while Kanu is entitled to legal consultation, all parties must respect the judicial process and avoid actions that could prejudice public opinion.

The matter was adjourned to November 7, with a final warning that failure by Kanu to open his defence would lead the court to deem his case closed.