The detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu blamed his inability to open his defence on the failure of his former counsel to hand him over his case file and enable him adequately prepare his defence.
Kanu was slated to open his defence on Thursday. Instead, he dramatically announced the sacking of his legal team led by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi, and, thereafter, prayed the court to grant him a short adjornment till Friday.
When the case was called on Friday, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that the case was scheduled for the defendant (Kanu) to open his defence.
When it was Kanu’s turn to speak, he told the court that he would not be able to open his defence. He blamed the move on his inability to access his case file from the legal team he debriefed on Thursday.
Kanu further told the court that those who were to bring the case file to him,
where he is currently being held in the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, did not.
He prayed the court for an adjournment till Monday, October 27, to enable him gain access to the case file and familiarise himself with the contents.
Kanu told the court that he was expecting witnesses from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Kenya and Ethiopia, and applied for an order that the DSS should allow him access to people even on Saturday and Sunday for the purpose of preparing his defence.
Awomolo did not object, following which Justice James Omotosho ordered the DSS to allow Kanu receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
The judge thereafter adjourned till October 27 for the defendant to open his defence, warning that the six days granted Kanu to conduct his defence, which began on October 23, will not be extended.
Details shortly.
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