Nnamdi Kanu refuses to call witnesses in his trial arguing that court has no jurisdiction to try him

INDIGENOUS People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu has abandoned plans to call witnesses in his ongoing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja opting to keep mum in the case arguing that the court had no jurisdiction to try him.

Last week, Mr Kanu took over from his lawyers, opting to represent himself after his legal team withdrew from the case.  He is facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed against him by the Nigerian federal government.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who had him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. However, in a dramatic development in June 2021, Mr Kanu was abducted by security agents in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he was handed over to the State Security Service.

Since then, his case has been ongoing in the Federal High Court in Abuja and in the latest twist today, Mr Kanu told the court that upon reviewing the case file, he had concluded that there was no valid charge against him. On Friday, he had expressed his readiness to open his defence in a written application to the court, in which he indicated his intention to call witnesses and requested the issuance of witness summons.

However, at the resumed hearing today, Mr Kanu argued that since he believed the charges were unlawful and that the prosecution had failed to establish any case, there was no need for him to proceed with his defence. In response, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, directed Mr Kanu to file a written address formally stating his position and to serve the prosecution accordingly.

Justice Omotosho further advised the Ipob leader to consult experts in criminal law to understand the possible legal implications of his decision. Thereafter, the judge adjourned the case to November 4, 5 and 6 for the adoption of final written addresses, based either on Mr Kanu’s position that no case had been established against him or for him to proceed with his defence if he decides otherwise.

Mr Kanu said he has gone through the case file and has realised that there is no valid charge against him. He argued that since he is convinced that there is no valid charge against him and that he was subjected to unlawful trial, there would be no need for him to open any defence.

Justice Omotosho then asked him to file a written address to that effect and serve the prosecution. Also, the judge, advised him to consult experts in criminal law on the consequences of the option he has chosen.