Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Monday refused to open his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government, insisting that there is no valid charge before the court.
At the resumed hearing in Abuja, Kanu — who recently dismissed his legal team and chose to represent himself — told the court that after reviewing his case file, he found no lawful basis for the prosecution.
“Join me in praising God. I have gone through my case file, and there is no charge against me,” he declared.
Kanu argued that none of the alleged offences in the amended charge has any foundation in Nigerian law, urging the trial judge to either dismiss the case or grant him bail.
“There is no extant law in this country upon which the prosecution can predicate the charges against me. If there’s any, let my Lord read it out to me,” he said. “So, I should not enter any defence in a charge that does not exist under any law in Nigeria. I urge you to release me today or grant me bail.”
The court adjourned proceedings after Kanu’s submission, with a ruling expected on the next steps in the trial.
