Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday maintained that he has no case to answer in the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing in Abuja, Kanu—who is representing himself after dismissing his legal team—argued that there is no valid charge before the court, insisting the offences cited against him do not exist under any Nigerian law.
He urged the court to take judicial notice of his motion challenging its jurisdiction and to order his immediate release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been detained since 2021.
“You cannot ask me to begin my defence when you have not stated the law under which I am being charged,” Kanu said. “There is no valid charge against me. I will not return to detention unless I am shown the valid law backing these charges.”
Citing Section 36(12) of the Constitution, Kanu claimed that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act had been repealed, rendering the charges void. He also accused the government of violating the Supreme Court judgment that condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), dismissed Kanu’s argument, saying the documents he filed lacked probative value and urging the court to proceed to judgment.
In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that Kanu’s filings were valid and granted him additional time to consult a lawyer, warning that failure to open his defence at the next sitting would result in forfeiture of that right. The case was adjourned till Wednesday.
It will be recalled that on October 24, the court ordered Kanu to begin his defence after rejecting his no-case submission. The IPOB leader had earlier listed several high-profile individuals—including governors, ministers, and former security chiefs—as potential witnesses but later withdrew the plan.
Kanu continues to face allegations of leading a separatist campaign and inciting violence across the country, charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
