A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu must enter his defence in his terrorism trial after rejecting his no-case submission.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring Kanu to open his defence. He held that evidence presented by the prosecution, including exhibits, raised substantial allegations linking the IPOB leader to acts of terrorism.
“The evidence and exhibits, and the need for him to demonstrate and lead evidence on his allegations of an extraordinary rendition, require that the defendant be given the opportunity and afforded his fundamental rights to a fair hearing, to be allowed to enter his defence,” the judge said.
The court therefore ordered Kanu to begin his defence against the charges.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), is facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism. He had urged the court to dismiss the case on grounds of insufficient evidence, but the judge disagreed.