Tuesday, July 14, 2026

IPOB Terrorism: Nnamdi Kanu abandons plan to defend himself, declares trial illegal

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, abandoned his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence.

• October 27, 2025
Nnamdi Kanu
IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, abandoned his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence.

Mr Kanu, upon resumption of hearing in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offences, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, that he had perused the case file with the conclusion that he has no case to answer.

Justice Omotosho had, on Friday, fixed today for Mr Kanu to open his defence following his complaint that the case file was yet to be handed over to him.

The IPOB leader had, in a motion filed on October 21, informed the court of his intention to call about 23 witnesses and to apply for a witness summons.

But when the case was called on Monday, Mr Kanu said he had reviewed the case file and realised there was no valid charge against him.

The IPOB lynchpin argued that, since he was convinced there was no valid charge against him and that he had been subjected to an unlawful trial, there was no need for him to mount a defence.

The judge then asked Mr Kanu to file a written address to that effect and to serve it on the prosecution. The judge advised him to consult criminal law experts on the consequences of the option he had chosen.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until November 4, 5, and 6 for the adoption of the final written addresses based on the defendant’s position that the evidence led so far and the charge had not established any case against him or for the defendant to enter his defence.

(NAN)

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