The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday made a fresh attempt to halt the scheduled judgment in the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The Federal High Court had earlier fixed November 7 for judgment, but when the matter was called, trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, disclosed that Kanu had filed a series of motions shortly after the last adjournment.
The court consolidated the motions and allowed Kanu, who is representing himself, to argue them.
In his first motion filed on November 12, Kanu prayed the court to refer what he described as “certain substantial issues arising from the trial” to the Court of Appeal.
He also asked for a stay of proceedings pending the appellate court’s decision.
Kanu maintained that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction from the outset, describing the charge against him as being based on a “non-existing law.”
According to him, the Supreme Court had earlier removed count 7, noting that the alleged offence “does not exist in law.”
The IPOB leader further argued that the prosecution’s evidence had been “sufficiently demolished,” adding that he had been denied a fair hearing.
He faulted the court for waiving his right to file a written address before fixing the matter for judgment.
In a separate motion, Kanu asked the court to grant him bail “on liberal terms” pending the final determination of the case. He insisted that his continued detention in DSS custody was unconstitutional.
Leading the Federal Government’s legal team, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss all the fresh applications, describing them as attempts to stall the case.
Awomolo asked Justice Omotosho to proceed with the scheduled judgment, maintaining that all issues had already been canvassed during the trial.
Justice Omotosho, after hearing arguments from both sides, reserved his ruling on the motions.
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