The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism trial of Biafra separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu to October 27, after he complained that his former lawyers withheld his case file.
Government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo SAN appeared ready to proceed, but no lawyer represented Kanu.
Kanu was expected to open his defence before Justice James Omotosho.
The defendant entered the dock with documents, announcing he would represent himself. But he told the court his legal team, dismissed on October 23, had not released his case file, leaving him unprepared.
He requested an adjournment to study the file and revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, including some from abroad. He asked the court to order the DSS to grant access to foreign witnesses and allow his lawyers visits on non-working days. The judge granted the visitation request.
Awomolo SAN objected, calling Kanu’s complaint strange, noting he had spent hours with his former lawyers. He urged the court to enforce its earlier order giving Kanu six days to open and close his defense.
Justice Omotosho described the allegation against Kanu’s former counsel as unusual but said he would allow an adjournment in the interest of fairness. He warned against further delays, stressing that other cases had suffered because of this trial.
The judge then fixed October 27 for Kanu to open his defense.
Godfrey Eshiomogie
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