The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), 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 had earlier chosen to represent himself, told Justice James Omotosho that his disengaged lawyers were yet to hand over the case file to him, leaving him unprepared to proceed.
“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,” Kanu said.
He therefore pleaded for an adjournment to allow time to prepare his defence.
Although the Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not oppose the request, he urged the court to maintain its standing order that required Kanu to defend himself within six days.
“I’m aware 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 argued.
Justice Omotosho, while appealing to Kanu to make good use of his constitutional right under Section 36 to defend himself, stated that the court could not compel him if he chose to waive that right.
The judge adjourned the matter until Monday for Kanu to open his defence.