Federal High Court Sets Oct 24 Deadline for Kanu’s Defence

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Nnamdi Kanu to open his defence on October 24 in the terrorism case brought against him by the federal government.

The judge ruled that Kanu must begin his defence without fail on Friday, October 24, warning that failure to do so would be considered a waiver of his legal right to defend himself.

The ruling follows Kanu’s insistence on representing himself in the trial while requesting a three-month adjournment. During proceedings, he continued to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, despite the judge reminding him that the issue had already been resolved against him.

Kanu stated: “Going forward, I am making an oral application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try me. On the face of the records before this court, there are four jurisdictional defects in the matter. The Federal Government is in contempt of the Court of Appeal. I have been discharged by the Appeal Court but I remained in detention for 14 more months.

“A contemnor cannot come to the court to seek any remedy because he who goes to equity must appear with clean hands. The Act on which I am being tried has been repealed and therefore I could not be tried on a repealed Act. The prosecution had denied me proper consultation with my lawyers for the almost five years I had been held in custody.

“If not for your mercy, My Lord, to grant us three hours to hold conference in this courtroom, I would have been compelled to enter my defence in a capital offence without proper consultation with my lawyers. The medical report on which this court relied to declare me fit to stand trial was forged. The report was dated 23 September, even though the court gave the order on 26 September.”

Kanu also argued that no blood or urine samples had been collected to conduct any test, describing the medical report as fabricated, and requested that the matter be terminated immediately if possible.

Responding, counsel for the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, said Kanu’s statements were not based on recognised court procedure and amounted to entertaining the court.

Justice Omotosho ruled that all preliminary objections would not be entertained at this stage and reaffirmed that Kanu must put in his defence. He added that while most of Kanu’s arguments had been raised before, he was not barred from addressing them in his final written submissions.

During proceedings, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asked to address the court as a friend of the court to request an adjournment for Kanu. Justice Omotosho stated that only Kanu, as the defendant representing himself, could make such an application.

Kanu argued he had insufficient time to prepare, especially given the capital nature of the trial and the need to assemble his witnesses.

Ultimately, Justice Omotosho ordered that Kanu must open his defence without fail on October 24.

Jpin us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE

KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep