The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again given the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a final chance to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism case against him.
Presiding Judge James Omotosho issued the warning on Wednesday, stressing that the court is obliged to provide Kanu every opportunity to defend himself before closing the window for his testimony.
This development came a day after the court gave Kanu a previous deadline to begin his defence — one of several adjournments granted in the past month.
“We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed,” Justice Omotosho stated. “But I am bound to give him another opportunity. If he fails to do so, I will deem him closed.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until Friday, November 7.
Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), had urged the court to foreclose Kanu’s defence after several failed attempts to get him to begin. Kanu, however, maintained that there is no valid charge against him, arguing that the law under which he was charged — the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act — has been repealed.
“The charge is based on a repealed law. I cannot put in any defence under a repealed law,” Kanu insisted in court.
Awomolo, however, argued that Kanu had been given more than enough time to present his case and urged the court to close the defence phase and proceed to judgment.
Justice Omotosho advised Kanu to consult lawyers experienced in criminal law, after which the IPOB leader agreed to open his defence following consultations with his legal advisers.
Kanu, who is both a Nigerian and British citizen, faces terrorism-related charges accusing him of inciting violence in the South-East region to advance the cause of an independent Biafra state — allegations he has repeatedly denied, insisting his actions are in pursuit of self-determination.
The case continues on Friday.
