By Legal Linkz Newsroom | November 4, 2025 | Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final warning to the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, over his continued failure to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, cautioned on Tuesday that if Kanu does not commence his defence on November 5, 2025, the court will proceed to foreclose his right and move forward with judgment.
The warning came after Kanu, for the fourth consecutive hearing, failed to open his defence despite the prosecution having closed its case and the court dismissing his no-case submission.
Justice Omotosho, expressing dissatisfaction with the repeated delays, said the court would no longer accept excuses.
“The defendant has been given sufficient time to prepare. If by November 5 he fails to open his defence, he will be deemed to have waived his right,” the judge ruled.
At the resumed hearing, Kanu—who is conducting his own defence—told the court that he had not filed his final written address but had instead submitted a new motion and supporting affidavit. He maintained that there was no valid charge against him, arguing that the trial itself was a “nullity.”
“I will not enter any defence because there is no valid charge known to law against me. I should not be detained any further. I want to be released immediately because there is no lawful basis for this trial,” Kanu stated.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, criticised the defendant’s conduct, accusing him of intentionally attempting to delay the judicial process. He urged the court to deem Kanu’s newly filed documents as his final written address and proceed to judgment.
“The defendant is merely dragging the matter endlessly. We urge the court to treat the documents he filed as his final address,” Awomolo said.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s documents were properly before the court and would be considered during judgment. He also noted that since Kanu is not a legal practitioner, it would be fair to give him one final opportunity to consult a lawyer and prepare his defence.
“The court takes judicial notice that the defendant is not a lawyer. He is therefore granted a final opportunity to consult counsel and enter his defence,” the judge ruled.
The matter was adjourned to November 5, 2025, with the court warning that failure by Kanu to act by that date would result in the forfeiture of his right to defence.
