The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu told the court that he could not begin his defence because his former counsel, Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN), had not handed over his case file, preventing him from preparing adequately.
The defendant was initially expected to open his defence on Thursday but instead announced the dismissal of his legal team led by Agabi, a former Attorney General of the Federation. He then requested a short adjournment to Friday to allow time to reorganize his defence.
When the case resumed on Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to begin his defence. However, Kanu maintained that he was still unable to proceed because the debriefed legal team had yet to deliver his case documents to him at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility where he is being held.
He asked the court for another adjournment until Monday, October 27, to enable him to review the case file and prepare his defence. Kanu also said he was expecting witnesses from several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and requested permission for the DSS to allow him to meet with visitors over the weekend.
Awomolo did not oppose the request. Justice James Omotosho subsequently directed the DSS to permit Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday for the purpose of preparing his defence.
The judge adjourned the case until October 27 and reminded the defendant that the six days allotted for his defence, which began on October 23, would not be extended.
