Nnamdi Kanu’s trial stalls over missing case file as court adjourns to Monday
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was unable to open his defence on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after revealing that his former legal team had yet to hand over his case file.
At the resumed hearing of his terrorism trial, Kanu told Justice James Omotosho that he could not proceed because he had not received the documents from his previous legal team.
“My lord, my counsel withdrew from the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them. Those who were to bring it to me were not allowed access,” Kanu said.
Read also: Nnamdi Kanu sacks legal team, opts to defend himself in court
He asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to obtain the documents and prepare his defence.
Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Counsel to the federal government, did not oppose the request but urged the court to maintain its order directing Kanu to open his defence within six days.
“I am aware there is a standing order for the defendant to begin his defence within six days. He lost yesterday, and today is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the order,” Awomolo said.
Justice Omotosho advised Kanu to take advantage of the opportunity provided under Section 36 of the Constitution to defend himself but noted that the court could not compel him to do so.
The judge adjourned the matter until Monday to allow Kanu to obtain the case file and open his defence.
BusinessDay recalled that Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017 but fled the country.
He was re-arrested in 2021 and has since been held by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The federal government has maintained charges against him, accusing him of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of Nigeria’s southeast region.
In a new application filed on Tuesday, Kanu informed the court that he intends to call two categories of witnesses: “material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses, to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Those listed as “vital and compellable” witnesses include Theophilus Danjuma, former Minister of Defence; Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor; Hope Uzodimma, Imo State Governor; and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Others named are Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State; Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation; Ahmed Rufai, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former Director-General of the DSS; and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, current DSS Director-General.
