In a bid to ensure fairness in the protracted terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted him one final opportunity to enter his defence or face closure of his case.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Naija-Virtual-Notary2.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the matter, emphasized his judicial duty to provide the defendant ample chance to respond to the charges. “We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But I am bound to give him another opportunity to put in his defence,” the judge stated during Wednesday’s proceedings. “If he did not, I will deem him closed. I know that he is an Economist and not a lawyer. I will give the last opportunity to the defendant to put in his defence, failing which he would be deemed closed.”
The court adjourned the case to November 7 for Kanu to comply. This marks the fourth extension granted to the IPOB leader, who is representing himself amid a seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government.
The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adegboyega Awomolo, had urged the court to foreclose Kanu’s defence after he repeatedly failed to open it. Awomolo noted that six days had been allocated for the defence, of which Kanu had used five without proceeding. “The court had on Tuesday adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter a defence in his trial or be deemed to have waived his right to do so,” Awomolo said, urging the court to proceed to judgment.
Kanu, however, maintained that the charges were invalid. He argued that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act under which he was charged had been repealed, rendering the trial unlawful. “The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that,” Kanu insisted.
He further invoked a Supreme Court judgment that directed the Federal Government to amend the charges, accusing the prosecution of non-compliance. “The Supreme Court, in its judgment ordering my trial, directed the Federal Government to amend the charge since the one currently against me has been repealed,” he argued.
Despite the judge’s reminder to “keep his gunpowder dry” and focus on his defence, Kanu maintained that there was no basis to respond to what he described as a defective indictment. Later, he expressed willingness to open his defence but requested time to consult his four legal consultants: Nnaemeka Ejiofor (also referred to as P. A. N. Ejiofor), Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara (also Dr. Maxwell Opara), and Mandela Umegborogu (also Prince Mandela Umegburu).
Granting the adjournment, Justice Omotosho urged Kanu to seek advice from practitioners versed in criminal law, explaining that the extension was in the interest of justice, both for the defendant and the nation.
Kanu’s trial has been marked by delays and procedural setbacks. The prosecution closed its case on June 19, 2025, after calling five witnesses. Kanu’s no-case submission was dismissed on September 26, 2025, after the court ruled that a prima facie case had been established.
Subsequent hearings in late October and November 4 saw Kanu decline to present his defence, citing incomplete document handover from his former lawyers and the alleged invalidity of the charges.
Adding a layer of procedural oversight, Justice Omotosho also cautioned Kanu’s former lawyers, who now serve as his “consultants,” to conduct themselves within professional ethics. The warning followed a complaint from Awomolo, who accused the quartet—Ejiofor, Ejimakor, Opara, and Umegburu of granting media interviews and making social media comments related to the case.
The publishing firm has produced an impressive catalogue of authoritative legal texts authored by its proprietor, Basil Momodu, Esq.,
For inquiries, contact:
📧 momodulawpublishing@yahoo.com
📞 07051822705
______________________________________________________________________
“Your Must-Have Legal Classic” — 225-Page Hardback Offering The Definitive Guide To Electoral Security In Nigeria And The U.S.
Edited by Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi, Ph.D; ACIArb, FIPDM, Notary Public, Awi Boluwaji, and Olumide Awoyemi, LL.M, Price: ₦20,000 or $20 per copy
Order Your Copy Now:📧 Email: benakollegalclassics@gmail.com,📱 WhatsApp: 07038211889, 📞 Voice Call: 07065830466 | +2347038211889
______________________________________________________________________
“Timely And Groundbreaking” — Babalola, Nnawuchi Release Casebook On Privacy & Data Protection In Nigeria
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
