, Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to consult his legal advisers){kind=link}
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to consult his legal advisers before commencing his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.
The decision came on Wednesday after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, once again advised Kanu to seek proper legal guidance following his repeated insistence that the charges against him were invalid.
Although he had earlier refused to open his defence, Kanu eventually informed the court that he would confer with his lawyers, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara and Mandela Umegborogu.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the case till November 7, marking the fourth time the IPOB leader has been given an opportunity to either present his defence or waive his right to do so.
Kanu had in October dismissed his former legal team, led by ex-Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), opting instead to represent himself. He had initially listed 23 witnesses, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, but later withdrew the list, insisting that the charges were invalid.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Kanu maintained that the terrorism charges were null and void, arguing that the law under which he was being tried had been repealed.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law,” he told the court.
The Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), had urged the court to enforce its previous order requiring Kanu to either begin his defence or forfeit the right.
However, Justice Omotosho said he would once again “bend backward” in the interest of justice to allow Kanu consult his lawyers before proceeding.