Justice James Omotosho of 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 defend himself in his ongoing terrorism trial.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the judge emphasized that it was his judicial duty to ensure the defendant is given every chance to present his case before the court. The ruling followed an application by prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who urged the court to foreclose Kanu from presenting a defence after he failed to do so within the allotted time.
Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu had already exhausted five of the six days the court granted him to open his defence but had yet to take any step in that direction.
Awomolo reminded the court that the adjournment from Tuesday to Wednesday was specifically to allow Kanu to begin his defence or be deemed to have waived the right. However, at the resumed hearing, Kanu again declined to enter any defence, insisting that there was no valid charge against him.
“The defendant has taken a clear position that he will not defend the charges because he believes there is no valid case against him,” Awomolo said, urging the court to foreclose the matter and set a date for judgment.
Kanu, who chose to represent himself, reiterated from the dock that the charges were invalid and therefore did not require any response.
Justice Omotosho consequently ruled that the court would grant Kanu one final chance to open his defence before taking further action.
