Kanu Fails to Open Defence, Citing Case File Denial

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, could not open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, after informing the court he had been denied access to his case file.

Dependable NG reports that the development is a major twist in the trial, coming barely a day after Kanu dismissed his entire legal team, led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, stating his intention to represent himself. When the matter was called, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, reminded the court that the day was set for the defence to begin its presentation.

However, taking the stand as a self-representing defendant, Kanu explained that he was unable to proceed because those tasked with delivering his case file to him at the Department of State Services (DSS) custody could not gain access to him. Due to this logistical constraint, he formally requested a short adjournment until Monday, October 27, which he said would afford him the necessary time to access the case file and prepare his defence adequately.

Furthermore, Kanu informed the court that he expects witnesses from several foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and sought a court order to permit him to meet with his visitors over the weekend to facilitate his preparations. The prosecuting counsel, Awomolo, did not raise any objection to the application. Consequently, Justice Omotosho granted the adjournment and directed the DSS to permit Kanu to receive his visitors on both Saturday and Sunday. The judge adjourned the case till October 27 for the defendant to open his defence, issuing a stern warning that the six days allocated to Kanu for his defence presentation would not be extended.