THE detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has failed to open his defence in his ongoing alleged terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
News Point Nigeria reports that Kanu said he could not open his defence because he has not been handed the case file to enable him to familiarise himself with its content to enable him adequately prepare for his defence.
Following his inability to commence his defence on Thursday after the withdrawal of his team of lawyers led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi, Kanu prayed the court to grant him a short adjournment till the next day.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) told the court that the case was scheduled for Kanu to open his defence.
When it was his turn to speak, Kanu said he would be representing himself. He then told the court that he would not be able to open his defence because he has not been able to access the case file.
Kanu said that those responsible for bringing the case file to him, while he is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), were unable to meet with him yesterday.
He prayed the court for more time, requesting for time to allow his people to bring the case file by the weekend so that he would be ready to proceed by Monday.
He prayed the court for an adjournment till Monday, October 27 to enable him access the case file and familiarise himself with its content.
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 for his defence.
Awomolo did not object, following which Justice Omotosho ordered the DSS to allow him to receive visitors on non- working days.
He then 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.
