The Federal High Court in Abuja has slated November 20 for judgment in the ongoing terrorism case involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Friday after Kanu failed to open his defence despite being granted six days to do so.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu, having been given ample opportunity to present his defence, could not claim his right to a fair hearing had been violated.
The court had earlier ordered the IPOB leader to begin his defence on November 5 or risk forfeiting his right to do so.
This directive followed Kanu’s repeated failure to open his defence after the prosecution closed its case and the court dismissed his no-case submission.
At Friday’s proceedings, Kanu, who is representing himself, informed the court that he had not filed a final written address as previously directed but had instead submitted a motion supported by an affidavit.
He insisted he would not enter any defence, arguing that there were no valid charges against him under existing law.
Kanu demanded his immediate release, maintaining that the charges brought against him were invalid and that he should not be returned to detention.
However, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), challenged the validity of Kanu’s latest filings, claiming they were not properly before the court.
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He urged the judge to treat the documents as Kanu’s final address and proceed to judgment, accusing the defendant of deliberately attempting to stall proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the documents filed by Kanu would be considered at the point of judgment.
He also noted that since the defendant is not a legal practitioner, he should be allowed to seek legal counsel for necessary guidance.
With both sides having made their final submissions, all eyes are now on November 20 when the court will deliver its verdict in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials.