Garba Mohammed
The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu informed the court that he could not proceed because he had not been given access to his case file, preventing him from familiarising himself with its contents and adequately preparing his defence.
This development came a day after Kanu dismissed his legal team, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation Kanu Agabi, SAN, choosing instead to represent himself in the trial.
When the case was called, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, reminded the court that the hearing had been scheduled for Kanu to begin his defence. However, Kanu explained that those responsible for delivering his case file while he remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) were unable to do so.
Kanu therefore requested a short adjournment until Monday, October 27, to allow him access to the case file and sufficient time to prepare for his defence. He also informed the court that he expected witnesses from multiple countries—including the United Kingdom, United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia—and sought a court order to meet visitors over the weekend to facilitate his preparation.
The prosecuting counsel did not oppose the request, prompting Justice Omotosho to direct the DSS to allow Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until October 27 for Kanu to formally open his defence, warning that the six days allocated for him to present his case would not be extended.