By Ayomide Otitoju
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, failed to open his defence on Friday in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, citing his inability to access crucial case files.
Kanu told the court that his former legal team, led by ex-Attorney-General Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to hand over key documents necessary for his defence, preventing him from adequately preparing for the proceedings.
He had been scheduled to open his defence on Thursday but instead announced the disengagement of Agabi’s team and requested a brief adjournment to reorganise his legal representation.
When proceedings resumed on Friday, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), reminded the court that the day was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence. Kanu, however, maintained that he could not proceed without the case materials, noting that documents expected to be delivered to him at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility had not been made available.
Kanu requested an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to access his case files and consult with witnesses expected to testify from the United Kingdom, United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia. He also sought a court order directing the DSS to allow him receive visitors over the weekend to aid his defence preparation.
The prosecution did not oppose the application. Consequently, Justice James Omotosho granted the request, instructing the DSS to permit Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday. The court adjourned the matter to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to officially open his defence.
Justice Omotosho, however, cautioned that the six days previously allotted for the defendant’s defence, which began on October 23, would not be extended.
