The judge issued the warning on Tuesday after Kanu, for the fourth time, failed to open his defence following the closure of the prosecution’s case and the court’s earlier ruling dismissing his no-case submission

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has given the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until November 5 to defend the terrorism charges against him or forfeit his right to do so.

The judge issued the warning on Tuesday after Kanu, for the fourth time, failed to open his defence following the closure of the prosecution’s case and the court’s earlier ruling dismissing his no-case submission.

Justice Omotosho said that if Kanu failed to enter his defence on the next adjourned date, he would be deemed to have waived his right to do so.

The court had earlier, on October 27, adjourned till November 4 for Kanu to either file his final written address or open his defence.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu, who is representing himself, told the court that he had not filed any final written address as ordered but had instead filed a motion and a supporting affidavit.

He maintained that he would not open any defence because, according to him, there was no valid charge under any existing law pending against him.

Kanu insisted that he should be released immediately, declaring that he would not return to detention since there was no lawful charge justifying his continued trial.

However, prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted Kanu’s new court filings, describing them as incompetent and improperly filed.

Awomolo urged the court to stop indulging the defendant, whom he accused of deliberately delaying the proceedings.

He asked the court to deem the documents recently filed by Kanu as his final written address, direct parties to adopt them, and adjourn for judgment.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Omotosho held that the documents filed by Kanu were in order and would be considered at the judgment stage.

The judge said that since Kanu was not a lawyer, he should be given the opportunity to consult one for proper legal advice.

Justice Omotosho thereafter adjourned the case till November 5 for Kanu to open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.

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