Kanu Insists on Freedom, Says He Has No Case to Answer in Terrorism Trial

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he has no case to answer in the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

At the resumed sitting, Kanu, who chose to represent himself after dismissing his legal team, argued that the charges brought against him had no legal basis and that he could not be tried under a repealed law. He maintained that there was no valid legislation backing the allegations, adding that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) was unlawful.

Kanu urged the court to consider the motion and affidavit he submitted challenging the court’s jurisdiction. He argued that his trial violated the Nigerian Constitution and a previous Supreme Court ruling that declared his extraordinary rendition from Kenya illegal.

The IPOB leader insisted that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act had been repealed and therefore could not be used against him. He declared that he would not present any defence or return to detention unless a valid charge was shown to him.

The Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), objected to Kanu’s position, saying the documents filed by the defendant lacked legal weight. He accused Kanu of wasting the court’s time and urged the judge to treat the documents as his final address to allow the case to move toward judgment.

Justice James Omotosho, however, ruled that the documents filed by Kanu would be considered and gave him another opportunity to consult a lawyer for guidance. The judge warned that if Kanu failed to open his defence within the given period, the court would proceed without him. The case was adjourned to Wednesday for continuation.

It was 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 witnesses but later withdrew the plan.

Kanu is facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, incitement, and leading a separatist movement calling for the secession of Nigeria’s South-East region. He has maintained his innocence since his arrest and return to Nigeria in 2021.