The trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was on Friday stalled before the Federal High Court in Abuja following his claim that he had not been given access to his case file.
Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges, told the court that he could not open his defence because he had not received the file necessary to prepare adequately for his case.
“I have not been handed the case file to familiarise myself with its contents,” Kanu said, explaining that without it, he was unable to proceed with his defence.
The development came a day after Kanu dismissed his legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN), and sought a short adjournment to enable him prepare to represent himself.
When the matter was called on Friday, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) informed the court that the day’s proceedings were slated for the defendant to open his defence.
However, Kanu, who confirmed that he would be representing himself, reiterated that he could not proceed due to lack of access to the case file.
He explained that “those who were to bring the case file to me in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where I am being held, could not get to me.”
The IPOB leader then prayed the court to adjourn the matter till Monday, October 27, to enable him access the file and familiarise himself with its contents.
Kanu further disclosed that he was expecting witnesses from several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and urged the court to direct the DSS to allow him access to visitors over the weekend to prepare his defence.
Awomolo did not object to the request. Consequently, Justice Omotosho granted Kanu’s application and ordered the DSS to permit him to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday for the purpose of preparing his defence.
The judge then adjourned the case to October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, warning that the six days allocated for his defence, which began on October 23, would not be extended.
