Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to refer aspects of his terrorism trial to the Court of Appeal.
The court had fixed November 7 for judgement in the seven-count charge filed against him by the Federal Government. However, when proceedings resumed, trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, acknowledged that Kanu had filed several motions after the adjournment. The court consolidated the applications and allowed him to argue them.
In his first motion dated November 12, Kanu urged the court to transmit what he described as key constitutional issues arising from the trial to the appellate court. He also sought an order halting further proceedings pending the appeal.
Kanu argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, insisting that one of the counts in the charge was based on a “non-existing law,” referencing a Supreme Court position that count seven does not constitute an offence. He further claimed that the prosecution’s evidence had been discredited and accused the court of denying him fair hearing, particularly by waiving his right to file a written address before fixing judgement.
In a separate application, Kanu, who is conducting his own defence, asked the court to grant him bail on liberal terms, saying his prolonged detention was unconstitutional.
Responding, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss all the motions and proceed with delivering judgement.
