The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again granted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, another opportunity to defend the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, on Wednesday gave Kanu till November 7 to open his defence or risk forfeiting his right to do so, emphasising that the court was acting in the interest of justice.
However, Kanu stood his ground, insisting there were no valid charges before the court and maintaining that he would not defend what he described as “a charge based on a repealed law.”
When called upon to open his defence, the IPOB leader instead launched into a lengthy address, arguing that the charges were defective and in breach of the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling.
According to him, the apex court had directed the Federal Government to amend the charge before any valid trial could proceed — an order which, he claimed, had yet to be obeyed.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which I am being tried has been repealed,” Kanu said defiantly. “I cannot offer a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that.”
He further argued that the prosecution’s failure to amend the charges rendered the trial “null and void,” insisting that “no legitimate court can proceed under a repealed statute.”
Justice Omotosho, who appeared keen on maintaining judicial decorum, cautioned Kanu to “keep his gunpowder dry” and focus on the business of the day. But the IPOB leader refused to yield, reiterating his objection to the proceedings.
At a point during the heated exchange, Kanu indicated his willingness to open his defence — but only after consulting his four legal advisers, whom he named as Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara, and Mandela Umegborogu.
In response, Justice Omotosho advised him to seek guidance from lawyers experienced in criminal litigation to ensure his defence was properly handled.
Earlier, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had urged the court to enforce its previous order directing Kanu to proceed with his defence or waive his right entirely.
But the judge, adopting what he described as “a humane and balanced approach,” said he would once again “bend backward” to grant the defendant an additional opportunity to present his case.
“The court will give the defendant until November 7 to either open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
The case was subsequently adjourned to November 7 for the continuation of proceedings.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021, continues to face multiple terrorism-related charges — charges he has repeatedly dismissed as politically motivated and legally defective.
