, Nnamdi Kanu, has finally submitted his defence documents in the){kind=link}
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has finally submitted his defence documents in the ongoing terrorism trial after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him a rare concession to do so directly inside the courtroom.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court took the unusual step of relocating the court’s registry into his courtroom on Friday following Kanu’s complaint that he was being denied the opportunity to file his defence through regular procedures.
Following the judge’s directive, Kanu was allowed to formally file his legal documents before the court, marking a crucial step in his long-running battle against the terrorism charges brought by the Federal Government.
The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), confirmed that he was ready to receive the defence papers and respond accordingly.
“We are prepared to take delivery of the documents and proceed with our legal duties,” Awomolo stated during the proceedings.
As of the time the matter was stood down for an hour, Kanu and his legal team were still filing their defence documents inside the courtroom under close supervision.
Before now, the IPOB leader had resisted opening his defence, insisting that the government must first identify the specific provisions of the terrorism law he was accused of breaching.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s family had earlier accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of deliberately frustrating his preparations ahead of Friday’s trial.
In a statement issued by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the family alleged that the IPOB leader was being denied access to his legal team, family members, and key witnesses crucial to his case.
“The DSS has made it almost impossible for Mazi Kanu to meet with his lawyers and prepare his defence properly. This is a clear violation of his constitutional rights,” Emmanuel Kanu said.
He added that the family feared the situation could prevent the IPOB leader from fully participating in his trial, stressing that “this is not by choice but due to a systematic denial orchestrated by state agents.”
Despite the challenges, Kanu’s courtroom filing on Friday signals a renewed determination to confront the charges head-on and move the long-delayed trial forward.
AFRIPOST reports that the development could reshape the dynamics of the case, which has dragged on for years amid accusations of human rights violations and political interference.