Nnamdi Kanu Insists On Defending Himself, Challenges Court Jurisdiction

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to open his defence on Friday, October 24, in the ongoing terrorism trial filed against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Delivering the ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the defence must proceed without further delay, warning that failure to do so would mean the defendant has waived his right to present a defence as allowed by law.

The decision came after Kanu informed the court that he intended to personally conduct his defence and requested a three-month adjournment to prepare. Justice Omotosho, however, reminded him that an accelerated trial schedule was already in place, making such a lengthy adjournment impossible.

Despite the directive, Kanu again challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him, insisting that several legal defects had rendered the proceedings invalid.

“Going forward, I am making an oral application challenging the jurisdiction of this court. There are four jurisdictional defects in this matter. The Federal Government is in contempt of the Court of Appeal. I was discharged by the Appeal Court but remained in detention for 14 more months,” Kanu said.

He further argued that the Terrorism Prevention Act under which he is being tried had been repealed and could no longer be relied upon. The IPOB leader also claimed that the medical report used to declare him fit for trial was forged.

“The report was dated 23rd September, even though the order for medical examination was made on 26th September. No blood or urine samples were ever taken from me. The report is fake,” he alleged.

Kanu also complained that he had been denied proper access to his lawyers for nearly five years, stating that the limited conference granted inside the courtroom was not enough for him to adequately prepare for a capital offence.

In response, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) dismissed Kanu’s arguments, saying they were not based on any recognised legal procedure and were simply meant to delay the trial.

Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, said all preliminary objections had already been addressed at earlier stages of the case and would not be revisited.

“The defendant is to open his defence without fail on October 24. He is not foreclosed from raising any of these issues again in his final written address,” the judge ruled.

During proceedings, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), one of the senior advocates present in court, appealed to the judge to grant a short adjournment to allow Kanu to gather his thoughts and begin his defence. However, Justice Omotosho noted that since Kanu had chosen to defend himself, such a request had to come directly from him.

“I appeal to the defendant to take advantage of the opportunity to enter his defence or waive it if he so wishes,” the judge said.

Kanu reiterated that he needed more time to prepare, citing the gravity of the charges and the need to assemble his witnesses. Nonetheless, the court maintained its order that the IPOB leader must begin his defence on Friday, October 24, 2025.