Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The decision follows Kanu’s failure to open his defence within the six days allocated to him by the court.
The judge ruled that Kanu could not claim to have been denied a fair hearing, noting that he had been given enough time and opportunity to present his case but chose not to.
Kanu, who is representing himself, told the court he would not defend the charges, insisting that no valid case exists against him. He said the charges filed by the Federal Government have no basis in law and demanded his immediate release.
“I will not enter any defence because there is no valid charge pending against me. I should be allowed to go home,” Kanu declared during proceedings.
His refusal to defend the case came after the court overruled his earlier no-case submission, which argued that the prosecution had failed to establish any credible evidence against him.
Justice Omotosho had earlier warned that failure to present a defence by November 5 would mean Kanu had waived his right to do so.
Prosecution Accuses Kanu of Stalling Trial
The lead prosecutor, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), criticised Kanu’s decision not to proceed, accusing him of attempting to delay the trial. He asked the court to treat the latest documents filed by Kanu as his final written address and to proceed to judgment.
“The defendant is merely wasting the court’s time. These documents should be treated as his final address,” Awomolo argued.
Justice Omotosho, however, ruled that the documents submitted by Kanu were valid and would be considered during judgment. The judge added that since Kanu is not a lawyer, he should be given room to consult with legal counsel for support.
A Long Legal Battle with Economic Ripples
Kanu’s case, which has dragged on for years, continues to draw public attention not only for its political implications but also for its economic effects, particularly in the South-East. Each time tensions rise around his trial, businesses in the region often shut down due to fear of unrest.
The recurring “sit-at-home” orders linked to his movement have cost traders, transporters, and daily wage earners millions of naira in lost income.
With many small traders depending on daily earnings, any renewed tension following the November 20 judgment could worsen the economic strain in cities like Onitsha, Aba, and Enugu. For ordinary citizens, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Kanu’s case has become more than a political issue, it has become an economic one, disrupting livelihoods and local commerce.
