The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to begin his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by Wednesday, November 5, or risk losing his right to do so.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, gave the order during Tuesday’s proceedings after Kanu again refused to open his defence. The court advised him to consult a criminal law expert or formally appoint a lawyer to represent him, noting that his continued self-representation was delaying progress in the trial.
Kanu insisted that there was no valid charge pending against him and that his detention by the Department of State Services remained unlawful. He maintained that he would not return to custody unless the charges were properly presented, arguing that the terrorism law under which he was being tried had been repealed.
The IPOB leader also accused the court of ignoring a Supreme Court judgment that, according to him, condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya. He claimed that prosecuting him under a repealed law violated his fundamental rights and demanded his immediate release.
However, the prosecution, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo, urged the court to dismiss some documents Kanu had submitted, arguing they were unsigned and lacked evidential value. Justice Omotosho rejected the objection, stating that the documents on record were properly filed and acknowledged by the court.
The judge adjourned the case until November 5, giving Kanu one final opportunity to present his defence or forfeit his right to do so.