A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has warned that it may close the defence of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, if he fails to open his case in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Justice James Omotosho issued the warning on Tuesday after Kanu, for the fourth time, declined to present his defence following the prosecution’s closure of its case and the court’s rejection of his no-case submission.
The judge stated that if Kanu fails to proceed with his defence by November 5, he would be considered to have forfeited his right to do so.
The case had earlier been adjourned on October 27 for the defendant to either file his final written address or open his defence.
At the resumed hearing, Kanu, who is representing himself, informed the court that he had not filed the required final written address but instead submitted a motion and a supporting affidavit.
He maintained that he would not enter any defence, insisting that there was no valid or subsisting charge against him under Nigerian law.
Kanu further demanded his immediate release, arguing that he should no longer be detained since, in his view, the case lacked legal standing.
Responding, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) dismissed the competence of Kanu’s fresh filings, contending that they were irregularly submitted and amounted to a deliberate attempt to delay the proceedings.
He urged the court to treat the documents as Kanu’s final address and proceed to the judgment stage.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the defendant’s recent filings were properly before the court and would be considered during judgment.
He added that since Kanu is not a trained lawyer, the court would allow him time to consult with legal counsel and obtain appropriate guidance.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to November 5 for Kanu to either open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.
