COURT GIVES NNAMDI KANU FINAL WARNING TO OPEN DEFENCE OR FACE CLOSURE IN TERRORISM TRIAL
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to close the defence of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if he fails to open his defence at the next adjourned date.
Justice James Omotosho issued the warning after Kanu again failed to commence his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.
The judge, visibly displeased with the repeated delays, said the court would not grant any further adjournments, stressing that the matter must proceed in line with the rules of the court.
“If the defendant fails to open his defence at the next sitting, the court will have no choice but to close his case and proceed to judgment,” Justice Omotosho warned.
The Federal Government had earlier closed its case after calling five witnesses, mostly operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who testified against Kanu. The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), tendered several pieces of evidence, including video broadcasts alleged to have been made by the IPOB leader.
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Following the prosecution’s presentation, Kanu’s legal team had indicated plans to file a “no-case submission,” arguing that the government had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
However, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to warrant Kanu opening his defence.
At the last sitting, the defendant informed the court that he could not proceed with his defence because his former lawyers had not handed over his case files. He therefore requested more time to prepare, a move the judge described as another delay tactic.
Justice Omotosho advised the IPOB leader to engage the services of competent criminal law experts if he intended to continue representing himself, stressing that the matter would no longer be stalled.
“The defendant has had ample time to prepare his defence. The court will not tolerate unnecessary adjournments,” the judge added.
Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony. The Federal Government accused him of making inciting broadcasts and leading an outlawed organisation whose activities allegedly threatened national security.
The IPOB leader was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country while on bail in 2017. He was later re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria to continue his trial.
Legal analysts note that if Kanu fails to open his defence within the court’s timeframe, the judge may consider the case closed and proceed to deliver judgment based on the evidence already presented by the prosecution.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date in November, during which the court is expected to determine whether Kanu will finally begin his defence or risk having his case closed.
The high-profile trial continues to attract both national and international attention, given its implications for Nigeria’s justice system, national security, and the ongoing agitation for self-determination in the South-East.
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