The Federal High Court in Abuja has again given the Biafra nation agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, until 7 November to defend the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government, or waive his right to do so.
This is as Kanu stood his ground in the open court on Wednesday, that there were no valid terrorism charges against him and would offer no defence to the one against him.
Justice James Omotosho, who offered Kanu another opportunity, stated that he granted the fresh opportunity in the interest of justice to both the defendant and the nation.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, when Kanu was called to open his defence, he instead faulted the charges, insisting that he had nothing to defend in respect of a repealed law.
Kanu addressed the court, insisting on why the charges against him cannot stand.
Among others, he said that the Supreme Court in the judgment that ordered his trial made it abundantly clear to the federal government to amend the charge because the one against him had been repealed
He said that until now, the charge had not been amended by the prosecution, thereby violating the order of the apex court.
He maintained that the refusal of the federal government to amend the charge was fatal to his trial, adding that no trial can be held with a repealed law.
“Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put in defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that”.
At this point, Justice Omotosho reminded him of the need to keep his gun powder dry, but he declined, maintaining he had not seen any reason to open defence in the instant charge.
At a point, he agreed to open up the defence and that he would need to consult with his four legal consultants.
He named Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara and Mandela Umegborogu as his four legal consultants to consult.
Based on this, the Judge repeated his plea to him to consult with legal practitioners conversant with criminal laws to aid his defence.
Earlier, counsel to the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, had requested the Judge to stand on the order of the court that Kanu should open defence or waive his right to do so.
Justice Omotosho, however, said that he was inclined to bend backwards again to give Kanu another opportunity to have a rethink to open defence or forget it.
