Tension As Nnamdi Kanu Asks Judge To End His Ordeal — ‘I Just Want To Be Free

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday once again declined to open his defence in the seven-count terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

At the resumed hearing before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu—who has been representing himself after dismissing his legal team—insisted that the charges before the court were invalid and unsupported by law.

“You cannot ask me to begin my defence when you have not stated the law under which I am being charged,” Kanu said from the dock. “The records of this court show there is no law backing these charges. I request to be released. My Lord, please take judicial notice of all the records before this court.”

He maintained that he would not enter any defence or file a final written address unless the prosecution established a valid legal basis for the trial. Kanu further urged the court to order his immediate release from DSS custody, where he has been held since 2021.

Citing Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, Kanu argued that his prosecution lacked constitutional backing, claiming that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he was charged had been repealed.

“In Nigeria today, the Constitution is the supreme law. There is no provision for a terrorism offence in it. The Terrorism Act has been repealed. I cannot defend myself under a law that no longer exists,” he said.

He also accused the court of disregarding the Supreme Court’s ruling that condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, insisting that his continued detention violated his fundamental rights.

Prosecution Counters Kanu’s Claims
Lead prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted Kanu’s submissions, describing them as incompetent and of no evidential value.

“The defendant is only wasting the court’s time. His documents are incompetent and should be disregarded,” Awomolo argued, urging the court to treat Kanu’s filings as his final written address and proceed to judgment.

However, Justice Omotosho overruled the prosecution’s objection, noting that since Kanu is not a lawyer, he should be given another opportunity to seek legal representation.

“The court will foreclose his right to defend himself if he fails to open his defence within the allotted time,” the judge ruled.

The case was adjourned till Wednesday, when Kanu is expected to either open his defence or forfeit the right to do so.