The trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was on Friday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja after he claimed he could not access his case file to prepare for his defence.
Kanu, who now represents himself following the withdrawal of his legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that he was unable to open his defence because the case file had not been delivered to him while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He explained that those responsible for bringing the file were unable to meet with him on Thursday, prompting his request for a short adjournment to enable him to review the documents over the weekend.
The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the day’s proceedings were fixed for Kanu to begin his defence. However, Kanu pleaded for time to access the case materials, stating that his witnesses from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia would also require coordination.
Justice Omotosho granted Kanu’s request and ordered the DSS to permit him to receive visitors, including his legal aides, on Saturday and Sunday to facilitate his preparation.
The judge thereafter adjourned the case till Monday, October 27, for Kanu to commence his defence, warning that the six days earlier allotted to him for the exercise which began on October 23 would not be extended.
