The ongoing terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was stalled on Friday after the defendant failed to open his defence at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, attributed his inability to proceed with the defence to the failure of his former legal team to return his case file.
According to him, the lack of access to the documents has made it impossible for him to prepare adequately for trial. The defendant was initially scheduled to open his defence on Thursday.
In a dramatic twist, Kanu suddenly announced the dismissal of his legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, citing loss of confidence.
He subsequently sought an adjournment to Friday to reorganise his defence.
When proceedings resumed, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to open his defence. Kanu informed the court that he could not proceed because the debriefed lawyers had yet to provide him with his case materials.
He explained that the individuals responsible for delivering the documents to him at the DSS detention facility had not done so, leaving him unable to prepare or meet with potential witnesses.
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Kanu requested an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to enable him to review his case file and consult with witnesses he said were travelling from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
He also asked the court to direct the DSS to grant him access to visitors over the weekend for the purpose of defence preparation.
Lead prosecution counsel Awomolo did not oppose the plea, and Justice James Omotosho granted Kanu’s request, ordering the DSS to allow him to meet his visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
The court subsequently adjourned the trial to Monday, October 27, 2025, for Kanu to finally open his defence.
Justice Omotosho, however, cautioned that the six-day window earlier given for the defence to be conducted, which began on October 23, would not be extended under any circumstances.
The adjournment marks another delay in Kanu’s long-running case, which has seen multiple setbacks over legal representation and procedural disputes.
The court proceedings are expected to resume with Kanu’s defence presentation on Monday.
Crediblenewsng.com
