A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Presiding Judge Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Friday following Kanu’s refusal to open his defence within the six days earlier allotted by the court.
Justice Omotosho held that Kanu had been given ample opportunity to present his case but chose not to do so, noting that by waiving his right to defence, he could not later allege denial of a fair hearing.
The judge further ruled that Kanu’s failure to utilise the opportunity to defend himself does not amount to a violation of his constitutional right to a fair trial.
The forthcoming judgment is expected to be a crucial turning point in the long-running, high-profile case that has attracted both national and international attention since Kanu’s re-arrest and detention.
