The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled November 20 for judgment in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Friday after Kanu failed to open his defence, despite being allotted six days by the court to do so.
The judge ruled that having failed to utilise the opportunity granted to him, Kanu cannot now claim that his constitutional right to a fair hearing was denied.
Earlier, the court had given Kanu until November 5 to defend the terrorism charges against him or forfeit his right to present a defence.
This directive followed his repeated failure—four consecutive days—to enter a defence after the prosecution closed its case and the court dismissed his no-case submission.
The court had previously adjourned proceedings on October 27 to November 4, instructing Kanu to either file his final written address or open his defence.
However, at the resumed sitting, Kanu—who is representing himself—announced that he had not filed the required final written address.
Instead, he submitted a motion supported by an affidavit. He insisted he would not present any defence, arguing that no valid charge known to law exists against him.
He further declared that he would not return to detention and demanded his immediate release.
Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), contested the legitimacy of Kanu’s new filings, arguing they were not properly submitted and accusing him of attempting to waste the court’s time.
Awomolo urged the court to treat the documents as Kanu’s final written address and proceed to adopt all addresses before fixing a judgment date.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s documents were properly filed and would be considered during judgment.
He added that since Kanu is not a lawyer, the court would allow him the opportunity to consult legal counsel for proper guidance.
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