The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday complied with the directive of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to file his defence in the terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the temporary relocation of the court’s registry into his courtroom after Kanu complained that he was being denied the opportunity to file his documents properly.
Following the directive, Kanu began filing his defence processes inside the courtroom.
Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), notified the court that he was ready to receive the documents directly within the courtroom and respond as required.
At the time of filing this report, the defence documents were still being submitted, prompting the judge to stand down the matter for one hour.
Until Friday, the IPOB leader had refused to open his defence, insisting the Federal Government must first show him the specific terrorism law he allegedly breached.
Sources had earlier reported that Kanu’s family alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) are deliberately frustrating his efforts to prepare for his terrorism trial scheduled for Friday.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the family warned that the IPOB leader might be unable to appear in court, not by choice, but due to what they described as systemic denial of his constitutional rights.
The family accused the DSS of obstructing Kanu’s access to his lawyers, family members, and key witnesses needed for his defence.
According to them, “The DSS has made it almost impossible for Mazi Kanu to have proper access to his lawyers, family members and key witnesses.”
