BREAKING: Federal Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu Final Chance to Defend Himself or Lose His Right

• The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu that it will close his defence if he fails to open it at the next sitting.

For the fourth time, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declined to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

At Tuesday’s resumed hearing before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu—who dismissed his legal team and chose to represent himself—maintained that he had no case to answer.

He argued that there was no valid charge before the court, insisting that without a legally competent case, he could not be compelled to defend himself or file a final written address.

Kanu urged the court to take judicial notice of a motion he had earlier filed with a supporting affidavit, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial. He further asked for an order directing his immediate release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been detained since 2021.

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However, the lead prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted the defendant’s filings, describing them as incompetent and improperly submitted. He accused Kanu of deliberately stalling proceedings and urged the court to treat the new documents as his final written address so that judgement could be delivered without further delay.

In a brief ruling, Justice Omotosho dismissed the prosecution’s objection, saying the court would consider all processes submitted by Kanu. The judge, noting that the IPOB leader is not a lawyer, granted him an additional opportunity to seek legal advice before proceeding.

However, the judge cautioned that if Kanu failed to open his defence within the next adjourned date, the court would foreclose his right to do so and proceed with judgement based on existing records.

The matter was adjourned until Wednesday for continuation of hearing.