JUST IN: Court moves to close Kanu’s defence over delay

The Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned that it may foreclose the defence of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if he fails to open his case at the next hearing.

Justice James Omotosho issued the warning on Tuesday, expressing concern over Kanu’s persistent refusal to begin his defence. This comes after the prosecution closed its case and the court dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission.

The judge stated that if Kanu failed to open his defence on November 5, 2025, he would be deemed to have waived his right to do so, and the court would proceed accordingly.

The development came after the matter was adjourned on October 27 for the defendant to either file his final written address or open his defence.

At Tuesday’s sitting, Kanu, who has been conducting his own case without legal representation, told the court that he had not filed any final address as previously ordered but had instead submitted a motion and a supporting affidavit.

He insisted that he would not enter any defence, maintaining that there was no valid charge against him under any existing Nigerian law.

“There is no valid charge pending against me. I should not be in detention, and I demand to be released immediately,” Kanu told the court.

The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), objected to Kanu’s submission, arguing that the documents he filed were not properly before the court.

Awomolo accused the defendant of deliberately delaying proceedings and urged the court to treat Kanu’s recent filings as his final written address so that both parties could adopt their positions and the matter be fixed for judgment.

Justice Omotosho, however, held that the documents filed by Kanu were in order and would be considered at the appropriate stage. He further noted that since Kanu is not a lawyer, he should be allowed to seek legal guidance before proceeding.

The Judge adjourned the case to November 5th.