The detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu claimed that he was unable to begin his defence because he had not received the case file, which would have allowed him to become familiar with its contents and sufficiently prepare for it.
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The IPOB leader asked the court to allow him a brief adjournment until the following day after his team of solicitors, lead by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi, withdrew, preventing him from starting his defence on Thursday.
Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the prosecutor, informed the court during Friday’s resumed hearing that Kanu will be opening his defence.
Nnamdi Kanu declared that he would be speaking on his own behalf when it was his turn. He then informed the court that since he was unable to access the case file, he would not be able to begin his defence.
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He claimed that because he is under the Department of State Services’ (DSS) custody, personnel in charge of delivering the case file to him were unable to meet with him yesterday.
He, therefore, prayed the court for a short adjournment till Monday, October 27, to enable him access the case file and prepare for the defence.
Additionally Mazi Nnamdi Kanu informed the court that he expected witnesses from several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya and Ethiopia, and sought an order allowing him to meet visitors over the weekend to facilitate his preparation.
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Justice Omotosho ordered the DSS to permit Awomolo to accept visitors on non-working days after he failed to oppose.
He then warned that the six days Nnamdi Kanu was given to present his defence, which started on October 23, would not be extended and postponed the defendant’s defence until October 27.
