A Federal High Court in Abuja has given the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a final opportunity to enter his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or risk forfeiting the right to do so.

Justice James Omotosho, who issued the warning on Wednesday, said it was his duty to ensure that the defendant was given every reasonable chance to present his case before the court.

“We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But I am bound to give him another opportunity to put in his defence.

“If he did not, I will deem him closed. I know that he is an Economist and not a lawyer. I will give the last opportunity to the defendant to put in his defence, failure which he would be deemed closed,” the judge said.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case till November 7 for the continuation of proceedings.

Justice Omotosho gave the ruling while considering an application by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who urged the court to foreclose Kanu for failing to enter his defence despite spending five out of the six days allocated to him by the court.

Awomolo reminded the court that it had adjourned on Tuesday to allow Kanu to open his defence or be deemed to have waived his right to do so. However, upon resumption on Wednesday, the defendant still refused to enter any defence.

He urged the court to “take note of the defendant’s position that he would not enter any defence because there is no valid charge against him,” and prayed that the court should foreclose Kanu and adjourn for judgment.

Kanu, who represented himself during Wednesday’s proceedings, reiterated his stance from the dock, insisting that there was no valid charge against him that would justify being asked to enter a defence.

Meanwhile, following a complaint by Awomolo, Justice Omotosho cautioned Kanu’s former lawyers, who now identify themselves as his consultants, to adhere strictly to the ethics of the legal profession.

The judge named the lawyers as P. A. N. Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Dr. Maxwell Opara, and Prince Mandela Umegburu.

Awomolo had earlier accused the group of granting media interviews and making subtle social media posts about the case, which he described as unethical.

The four lawyers, who were present in court on Wednesday, confirmed they were now acting only as consultants to Kanu and introduced themselves accordingly.

The court’s ruling marks another crucial phase in Kanu’s long-running trial, which has seen repeated adjournments and legal disputes over the validity of the charges filed against him.

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