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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
For the third time, the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has stood his ground not to enter defence in the terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.
Given the development, Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court has given him till November 7 to open his defence or waive his right to do so.
When the trial resumed yesterday, Kanu maintained that there were no valid terrorism charges against him and would offer no defense to the one against him.
Justice Omotosho who,offered Kanu another opportunity, said that he granted the fresh opportunity in the interest of justice to the defendant and to the nation.
Rather than commence his defence yesterday, Kanu faulted the charges, insisting that he had nothing to defend in respect of a repealed law.
He took hours addressing the court on why the charges against him cannot stand.
Among others, he said that the Supreme Court in the judgment that ordered his trial made it abundantly clear for the federal government to amend the charge because the one against him had been repealed.
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He said that up till now, the charge had not been amended by the prosecution,thereby, violating the order of the apex court.
Kanu persistently insisted that the refusal of the FG to amend the charge was fatal to his trial adding that no trial can hold in a repealed law.
“Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put in defense under a repealed law. I won’t do that.”
At this point, Justice Omotosho reminded him of the need to keep his gun powder dry, but he declined, maintaining he has not seen any reason to open defense in the instant charge.
He had earlier named Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara and Mandela Umegborogu as his four legal consultants.
Following his position, the Judge repeated his plea to him to consult with legal practitioners conversant with criminal laws to aid his defense.
Earlier, counsel to the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had requested the Judge to stand on the order of the court that Kanu should open defense or waive his right to do so.
Justice Omotosho, however ,said that he was inclined to bend backward again to give Kanu another opportunity to have a rethink to open defense or forget it.
