Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday agreed to consult his legal advisers before opening his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
This came after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, again urged the separatist leader to seek proper legal guidance following his repeated insistence that the seven-count charge against him was “invalid and unconstitutional.”
Kanu, who had earlier dismissed his legal team and opted to represent himself, initially refused to open his defence. However, after a prolonged exchange with the judge, he conceded to consult his lawyers.
Justice Omotosho subsequently granted an adjournment till November 7, marking the fourth time the court has given Kanu the opportunity to either open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right.
Kanu had, in October 2025, sacked his legal team led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), choosing to conduct his own defence.
He initially submitted a list of 23 witnesses he intended to call, including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, before later withdrawing the plan.
The IPOB leader has since argued that there is “no valid terrorism law” under which he can be tried, insisting that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act had been repealed.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law,” Kanu told the court.
He further claimed that the Federal Government failed to amend the charge as directed by the Supreme Court, maintaining that no offence known to Nigerian law currently stands against him.
The prosecution, represented by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to enforce its order requiring Kanu to open his defence or be deemed to have forfeited the right.
Awomolo noted that the Federal Government had closed its case since June 19, 2025, after calling five witnesses, and that the court had already ruled on September 26 that a prima facie case had been established against the defendant.
Justice Omotosho, however, said he would give Kanu “a final chance” to consult with his legal team and prepare a proper defence.
The judge also cautioned that Kanu’s persistent defiance of court orders could not continue indefinitely, emphasizing that due process must be followed to ensure fairness.
The case was adjourned till November 7, 2025, for Kanu to either open his defence or for the court to foreclose his right to do so.
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