Court fixes November 20 for judgment in Kanu’s terrorism case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed judgment for November 20 in the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho chose the date on Friday while ruling after Kanu failed to open his defence after exhausting the six days allocated to him by the court to conduct his defence.

The judge said Kanu, having failed to utilise the opportunity granted him to conduct his defence, he could not claim to have been denied the constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing.

Kanu’s refusal to open his defence on Wednesday in the seven-counts terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.

At the previous court sitting, Kanu, who has been representing himself, had said the charges filed against him were invalid by the reason of being part of a repealed law.

He accused the court of violating the Supreme Court judgment that condemned his extra ordinary rendition from Kenya and demanded that the judge must unfailingly and immediately discharge him.

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“The Terrorism Prevention Act has been repealed. I cannot put in defence under a repealed law, I won’t do that,” he had said.

After pleas from the judge, Kanu agreed to consult with his four legal consultants, Aloy Ejimakor, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Maxwell Okpara and Mandela Umegborogu on a possible defence.

However, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked the court to stand on the order that Kanu either opens his defence or waive his right to do so.

The judge, nevertheless, clarified that he would bend backwards to avail Kanu with more opportunities to defend the allegations levelled against him.

Having realised that Kanu was not willing to open defence despite numerous opportunities, the judge fixed day for judgment on Friday.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country after being granted bail in 2017. He was later re-arrested in 2021 and has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The federal government has maintained its charges against Kanu, accusing the separatist of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of the south-east region from Nigeria.