Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday held a private consultation with his legal team at the Federal High Court in Abuja, ahead of the scheduled opening of his defence on October 23.
Kanu was brought to Court 7, located on the second floor of the court complex, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The courtroom was vacated for the meeting by Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over Kanu’s ongoing trial on terrorism-related charges.
The consultation followed a request made by Kanu’s lead counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN. Agabi asked the court to permit a private legal session outside the DSS facility, citing concerns that privileged discussions with the defendant could be monitored or recorded.
Justice Omotosho granted the application, authorizing the meeting to be held in the courtroom from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on October 22, with only Kanu and his legal team present.
The session forms part of preparations for the defence phase of the trial, which resumes on Wednesday, October 23. According to the court’s schedule issued on September 16, Kanu has been allocated six consecutive days to present and conclude his defence.
The court had previously approved an accelerated hearing timeline for the case. Agabi did not oppose the six-day duration but emphasized the need for confidential communication between Kanu and his lawyers.
Kanu is facing terrorism and treasonable felony charges brought by the Federal Government. He has remained in DSS custody since his arrest and extradition in 2021.
The trial continues under heightened public interest, amid calls from various groups for a fair and transparent judicial process.