THE Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he must open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial.
In his ruling today, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had presented enough evidence and exhibits to establish a prima facie case against Kanu, warranting that he be given the opportunity to defend himself.
The judge explained that the allegations against the IPOB leader, coupled with his own claims of extraordinary rendition, required that he be allowed to respond fully in line with his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
Kanu, who is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a seven-count charge of alleged terrorism, had earlier sought a dismissal of the case on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove its allegations.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho also directed the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to assemble a panel of eight to ten doctors to assess Kanu’s fitness to stand trial.
The order followed an application by the defence, which claimed that the IPOB leader was battling a life-threatening illness and requested his transfer to a private ward at the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent care.
The court said the medical team’s findings would help determine whether Kanu could continue with the trial.