The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final warning to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, directing him to enter his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or risk forfeiting the opportunity altogether.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho emphasised that it was his judicial responsibility to ensure the defendant was given ample opportunity to present his case before the court.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho said,
“It is my duty as a judge to give the defendant sufficient time and opportunity to defend himself. However, the court cannot wait indefinitely.”
The decision followed an application by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who urged the court to foreclose Kanu’s defence after he allegedly failed to use five out of the six days earlier allotted to him to present his case.
Awomolo noted that on Tuesday, the court had adjourned to Wednesday to allow Kanu to open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right to do so. However, at the resumed sitting, the IPOB leader again declined to enter any defence, maintaining that there was “no valid charge” against him.
Addressing the court from the dock, Kanu reiterated his stance, saying:
“There is no valid charge against me. Therefore, I cannot enter any defence.”
The prosecuting counsel, however, insisted that Kanu’s continuous refusal to defend himself was a deliberate delay tactic and urged the court to proceed to the next stage of the trial.
Awomolo prayed the court to close the defence and set a date for judgment, arguing that the law does not permit indefinite adjournments once the defendant has been given reasonable opportunities to be heard.
The case, which has drawn national and international attention, continues to test the balance between national security concerns and judicial fairness in Nigeria’s legal system.
Justice Omotosho, while adjourning the matter, stressed that this would be the final opportunity for the defendant to enter his defence before the court proceeds further with the case.
