By Pat Stevens
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, citing his inability to access his case file.
Kanu told the court that his former legal team, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to hand over key documents necessary for his defense.
He said the failure to retrieve the case file from his previous counsel prevented him from preparing adequately for the proceedings.
The defendant had been scheduled to open his defence on Thursday, but instead announced the disengagement of Agabi’s team and sought a short adjournment to reorganise his legal representation.
When the matter resumed on Friday, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the day was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence.
However, Kanu maintained that he could not proceed without his case materials, explaining that those expected to deliver the documents to him at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility had not done so.
He requested an adjournment till Monday, October 27, to enable him to access his case file and consult with witnesses expected to testify from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
He also asked the court to direct the DSS to allow him receive visitors over the weekend for the purpose of preparing his defence.
The prosecution did not oppose the application. Consequently, Justice James Omotosho granted the request and ordered the DSS to permit Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday to aid his preparation.
The court thereafter adjourned the case to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to open his defence.
Justice Omotosho, however, cautioned that the six days earlier allotted for the defendant’s defence, which began on October 23, would not be extended.
