The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, failed for the second time to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu, who chose to represent himself, informed Justice James Omotosho during the resumed proceedings that his former lawyers had yet to hand over his case file.
“My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them. The few people that would have brought this were precluded from seeing me,” he told the court.
The IPOB leader consequently requested an adjournment to enable him to prepare his defence.
Although the Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, did not oppose the plea, he urged the court to maintain its earlier directive requiring Kanu to defend himself within six days.
“I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days. The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order,” Awomolo said.
Justice Omotosho, while appealing to Kanu to make good use of the chance afforded him under Section 36 of the Constitution to present his defence, noted that the court could not compel him to do so if he chose to waive the right.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until Monday for Kanu to open his defence.
