By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The trial of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, took another twist on Friday as he once again failed to open his defence in the terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu attributed the delay to the refusal of his former counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), to release his case file, a situation he said had left him unprepared to proceed with his defence.
The court had earlier scheduled Thursday for Kanu to open his defence. However, in a dramatic move, the self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) dismissed his legal team led by Agabi, a former Attorney General of the Federation, and requested an adjournment till Friday to reorganize his defence strategy.
When proceedings resumed on Friday, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) reminded the court that the day had been fixed for the defendant to begin his defence. But Kanu, taking the floor himself, told Justice James Omotosho that he could not proceed because his former legal team had not handed over the vital case file needed for his preparation.
According to him, those expected to deliver the documents at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility where he is detained failed to do so. Kanu therefore pleaded for a brief adjournment till Monday, October 27, to allow him access to the file and review its contents.
He further informed the court that he was expecting witnesses from several countries — including the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia — and sought an order permitting him to meet with them even over the weekend.
Awomolo did not oppose the request, prompting Justice Omotosho to direct the DSS to allow Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday strictly for the purpose of preparing his defence.
The judge adjourned the matter till October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, but cautioned that the six-day window earlier granted for the exercise — which began on October 23 — would not be extended under any circumstance.
