The trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took a new turn on Monday as he abandoned his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence against the seven-count terrorism-related charge brought by the Federal Government.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had adjourned proceedings on October 24 to October 27, when Kanu was scheduled to open his defence. In a letter to the court, he had indicated his intention to summon witnesses, including serving governors, ministers, former governors, and security chiefs, asking for a 90-day period to present and conclude his defence. Among the 23 individuals on his proposed list were the Governors of Imo and Lagos States, Hope Uzodimma and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); and former heads of the DSS and NIA, Yusuf Bichi and Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. Kanu also indicated that he might call additional witnesses whose names were not on the initial list.
However, when the case resumed, Kanu informed the court that after reviewing the case file, he was convinced there was no valid charge against him. He argued that the charges were defective and that he had been subjected to an unlawful trial, making the presentation of any defence unnecessary. Consequently, he shelved his request for witness summons.
Addressing the court from the dock, Kanu said, “Since I have been subjected to an unlawful trial based on an invalid charge, there is no need for me to offer explanations or present witnesses in my defence.”
Justice James Omotosho directed Kanu to file a written address reflecting his position and serve it on the prosecution. The judge also advised him to consult criminal law experts on the implications of foregoing a defence. The court adjourned the matter to November 4, 5, and 6 for the adoption of final written addresses based on Kanu’s assertion that the prosecution has not established a prima facie case against him or, alternatively, for him to proceed with his defence.
It is recalled that the court had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by Kanu, in which he sought to be discharged and acquitted on the grounds that the prosecution’s witnesses failed to prove any offence. The court had rejected his argument, finding that the evidence presented by the federal government established a prima facie case against him.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, continues to represent himself after disengaging his team of lawyers, insisting that the charges against him are invalid and that no defence is required.