By Olayiwola Mercy
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This follows Kanu’s refusal to open his defence, citing that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being charged, has been repealed. Justice James
Omotosho ruled that Kanu has waived his right to defend himself, stating, “This court has given opportunity to the defendant under Section 36 as required by the constitution, and I will not allow this to continue”.
Kanu, who is representing himself, had been given six days to present his case but failed to do so. The judge emphasized that Kanu cannot claim he was denied a fair trial since he didn’t utilize the opportunity to present his defence. The prosecution had closed its case with five witnesses in June, and Kanu’s no-case submission was dismissed in September.
The Nigerian government has been prosecuting Kanu on seven charges, mostly terrorism-related, since 2015. Kanu has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, arguing that the charges are invalid due to the repealed law. The court will deliver its judgment on November 20, determining Kanu’s fate.
