By our reporter 4.11.2025
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has threatened to strip Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu of his legal rights, if he fails to open his defence Wednesday November 5.
Despite four adjournments to enable Mr. Kanu to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial, the detained IPOB leader has consistently played hardball.
At the Tuesday November 4 hearing, Justice Omotosho seem to have run out of patience and fired a warning: “The defendant has been given adequate time to prepare. If by November 5 he fails to open his defence, he will be deemed to have waived his right,” he said.
Kanu who is representing himself insisted that the charges brought against him were not valid: “I will not enter any defence because there is no valid charge known to law against me.
“I should not be detained any further. I want to be released immediately because there is no lawful basis for this trial.”
He further argued that continuing the proceedings amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), criticised Kanu’s approach, accusing him of deliberately attempting to waste the court’s time.
“The defendant is only interested in dragging the matter endlessly. We urge the court to deem the documents he filed as his final written address and adjourn for judgment,” Awomolo submitted.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until November 5, warning that failure by the defendant to act by that date would result in his right to defence being deemed forfeited.