The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, failed to open his defense on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marking the second time he could not proceed in his alleged terrorism trial.
Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu, who previously chose to defend himself, explained that his former lawyers had not yet returned his case file.
He stated: “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.”
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Kanu further lamented that “The few people that would have brought this were precluded from seeing me.”
Consequently, the IPOB leader requested an adjournment so he could prepare his defense.
The counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not oppose the adjournment request.
However, the senior lawyer urged the court to adhere to its standing order requiring Kanu to conclude his defense within a six-day period.
Awomolo argued: “I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days.”
He added that Kanu “wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order.”
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Justice Omotosho then urged Kanu to make “judicious use of the opportunity offered to him in line with Section 36 of the constitution to defend himself.”
The judge, however, noted that the defendant cannot be compelled to proceed if he decides to “waive the right.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Monday for Kanu to open his defense.
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