The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a final opportunity to enter his defence in his terrorism trial or risk the case being foreclosed.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter on Wednesday, fixing 7 November 2025 as the new deadline.
In open court, Mr Kanu refused to mount a defence under the current charge. He claimed the law upon which it is based has been repealed, and that the prosecution failed to amend the charge in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.
He told the judge that “there were no valid terrorism charges against him” and said he would offer no defence as long as the charge remained unamended.
According to Arise News, he described the prosecution’s case as “more or less a ghost trial”, reiterating that the action lacked any extant legal foundation under current law.
Justice Omotosho noted that the court had already adjourned the hearing twice on this matter, but said that “he was bound to give him another opportunity to put in his defence.”
He warned that if Mr Kanu did not enter a defence by the new deadline, the court would deem his defence waived and proceed accordingly.
The judge acknowledged that Kanu is an economist by training and not a lawyer, but insisted that justice demands fairness.
Although he dismissed his former counsel, Mr Kanu confirmed he would consult four legal “consultants” before deciding whether to open a defence. He named Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara and Mandela Umegborogu.
The court warned these consultants to conduct themselves within the ethics of the legal profession, following complaints by the prosecution of public statements or media appearances.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, had urged the court to foreclose the defence, arguing that Mr Kanu had repeatedly ignored prior opportunities to respond.
But Justice Omotosho declined to close the door immediately. He said he would “bend backward” to give Kanu one last chance, emphasising the importance of due process.
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