A Federal High Court in Abuja has given Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a final chance to enter his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or risk being foreclosed.
Justice James Omotosho stated on Wednesday that it was his duty to ensure the defendant was provided adequate opportunity to present his defence.
“We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But, I am bound to give him another opportunity to put in his defence.
“If he did not, I will deem him closed. I know that he is an Economist and not a lawyer. I will give the last opportunity to the defendant to put in his defence, failure which he would be deemed closed,” the judge said and adjourned till November 7.
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The judge spoke while ruling on an application by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) that the court should foreclose Kanu, who failed to enter his defence having spent five out of the six days the court allocated to him to conduct his defence.
Awomolo had noted that the court had on Tuesday, adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter a defence in his trial or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.
He further noted that at the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Kanu still declined to open his defence as ordered by the court.
Awomolo urged the court to take note of the defendant’s position that he would not enter any defence because there is no valid charge against him.
He then prayed the court to foreclose the defendant and adjourn for judgment.
Earlier, Kanu, who represented himself, addressed the court from the dock. He maintained his position that there is no valid charge against him to warrant his being called to enter a defence.
Meanwhile, following a complaint by Awomolo, Justice Omotosho warned Nnamdi Kanu’s former lawyers—who now identify as his consultants—to conduct themselves in accordance with the ethics of the legal profession.
The lawyers are P. A. N. Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Dr. Maxwell Opara, and Prince Mandela Umegburu.
Awomolo had accused them of giving media interviews and making subtle social media posts related to the case.
The lawyers, whom Kanu also acknowledged as his consultants, were present in court to witness Wednesday’s proceedings and formally introduced themselves as such.
Details shortly…
