Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has given the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, one final opportunity to enter his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial or risk being foreclosed.
At Wednesday’s resumed hearing, Justice Omotosho stated that it was his responsibility as the presiding judge to ensure that the defendant was given ample opportunity to present his defence.
The judge made this remark while ruling on an application by the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who requested that the court foreclose Kanu for failing to open his defence after using up five of the six days allotted by the court for that purpose.
Awomolo reminded the court that it had, on Tuesday, adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter his defence or be considered to have waived his right to do so.
He further pointed out that during Wednesday’s proceedings, Kanu still refused to open his defence as directed by the court.
The prosecution counsel urged the court to take note of the defendant’s stance that he would not present any defence because, according to him, “there is no valid charge against him.”
Awomolo, therefore, prayed the court to foreclose the defendant and fix a date for judgment.
Earlier, Kanu, who chose to represent himself, addressed the court from the dock, reiterating his position that “there is no valid charge against him” to justify being called to enter a defence.