The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial to Monday after he failed to open his defence, citing lack of access to his case file.
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed for the second time to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kanu, who opted to defend himself, told Justice James Omotosho that his former lawyers had not handed over his case file, preventing him from preparing his defence. “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them. The few people who would have brought this were precluded from seeing me,” he said.
He requested an adjournment to enable him to properly prepare. Although federal government counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not oppose the plea, he urged the court to uphold its standing order requiring Kanu to open his defence within six days.
“I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days… This is the second day, my lord,” Awomolo said.
Justice Omotosho advised Kanu to make judicious use of the opportunity, noting he cannot be compelled to defend himself.
The case was adjourned until Monday for the defendant to begin his defence.