Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial as IPOB Leader fails to begin defence

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Monday, October 27, after he failed to open his defence on Friday.

Kanu told the court that he could not begin his defence because he had not received the case file needed to prepare adequately. This came a day after he dismissed his legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and requested time to familiarise himself with the case.

At Friday’s hearing, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), noted that the session was scheduled for Kanu to commence his defence. However, Kanu, who opted to represent himself, said he could not proceed since he had yet to receive the case file in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He appealed to the court for an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to enable him to review the case documents. Kanu also disclosed that he was expecting witnesses from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and asked the court to order the DSS to allow him access to visitors over the weekend to prepare his defence.

The prosecution did not oppose the plea, and Justice James Omotosho granted Kanu’s request, directing the DSS to allow him visitation on Saturday and Sunday.

The judge adjourned the trial until October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, cautioning that the six days granted to him for the process, which started on October 23, would not be extended.