Breaking: Nnamdi Kanu Fails To Open Defence, Blames Former Counsel For Withholding Case File

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to commence his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu told the court that he was unable to proceed because his former legal team, led by ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file, leaving him unprepared for the defence.

The IPOB leader was initially scheduled to open his defence on Thursday but had announced the dismissal of his previous lawyers, seeking a short adjournment to Friday to enable him reorganise his legal representation.

At Friday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence. However, when called upon, Kanu said he could not proceed as those responsible for transferring his case file to the Department of State Services (DSS) facility—where he is being detained—had failed to do so.

He pleaded for an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to allow him access to the file and time to review its contents. Kanu also informed the court that he expected witnesses from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and requested permission to meet with them over the weekend in preparation for his case.

Granting the request, Justice James Omotosho directed the DSS to allow Kanu to receive his visitors on Saturday and Sunday. The judge thereafter adjourned the trial to October 27 for the defendant to open his defence, warning that the six-day window earlier allotted for the exercise—beginning on October 23—would not be extended.