The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to begin his defence against terrorism charges on October 24, giving him just 24 hours to comply. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ruled that failure to open his defence as ordered would be seen as a waiver of Kanu’s legal right to do so.

The ruling came after Kanu asked for a three-month adjournment to prepare for his defence. However, the judge rejected the request, reminding him that the court had already fixed an accelerated hearing schedule. Kanu maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, insisting that the Court of Appeal had discharged him, and therefore, the current trial violated that ruling.

In his argument, Kanu accused the federal government of acting in contempt of court and claimed that the law under which he is being tried has been repealed. He also alleged that he was denied access to his lawyers during his long detention and that the medical report declaring him fit for trial was forged. Kanu said the report was dated before the court order that mandated the medical test, adding that no real examination was carried out.

The prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), countered Kanu’s claims, describing them as baseless and not in line with proper court procedure. He urged the court to proceed with the trial as earlier directed. Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, emphasized that all preliminary objections would be addressed later and ordered Kanu to open his defence immediately.

Meanwhile, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who appeared as a friend of the court, pleaded for a short adjournment to allow Kanu to prepare, but the judge ruled that only Kanu could make such a request since he had chosen to represent himself. The court ultimately reaffirmed that Kanu must open his defence without fail on October 24 or risk forfeiting the chance to present his case.