Justice Omotosho warns Kanu may forfeit right to defence

Justice Omotosho warns Kanu may forfeit right to defence

Abuja—For the fourth consecutive time, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday declined to open his defence in the terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government, insisting he has no case to answer.

Appearing before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu—who is now representing himself after disengaging his legal team—argued that the charges against him lack legal merit. He maintained that in the absence of a valid and extant charge, there was no basis for him to proceed with a defence or submit a final written address.

Instead, Kanu urged the court to consider a motion he filed alongside a supporting affidavit, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him for offences he claimed are not recognized under Nigerian law. He also requested an order for his immediate release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been held since 2021.

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Responding, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, questioned the procedural validity of Kanu’s filings, arguing that they were improperly submitted. He urged the court to treat the documents as Kanu’s final written address and proceed to judgment, accusing the defendant of deliberately stalling the trial.

In a brief ruling, Justice Omotosho dismissed the prosecution’s objection, affirming that the court would consider Kanu’s submissions in its final judgment. Acknowledging that the defendant is not a trained lawyer, the judge granted him additional time to seek legal counsel.

However, Justice Omotosho warned that Kanu’s right to defend himself would be forfeited if he failed to do so within the allotted time. The matter was adjourned until Wednesday for the defendant to either present his defence or have the opportunity waived.

The case continues to draw national attention, with legal observers closely monitoring the proceedings amid ongoing debates over due process, jurisdiction, and the broader implications for civil liberties.

Justice Omotosho warns Kanu may forfeit right to defence