Pat Stevens/
In a dramatic turn at the Nnamdi Kanu terrorism trial on Monday, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) used his first moments in court not to open his defence but to issue sharp criticism of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the federal government-owned news service.
As the proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja resumed, Kanu asked if NAN was present. Before any response, he launched into a tirade: “Where is the lying News Agency of Nigeria? Those liars and deceivers. Are they here? They distort the news. They don’t know what law is, they don’t know what justice is.”
Then turning to his defence, Kanu declared: “My Lord, I have gone through my case file and realised there is no charge against me. There is no law in this country upon which the prosecution can predicate the charges against me. If there’s any, let my Lord read it out to me. My Lord, is there any? Is there? I will not enter any defence in a charge that does not exist under any law in Nigeria.”
Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, responded by instructing Kanu to put his objections into writing.
The court has now adjourned the matter to November 4, 5 and 6, at which time Kanu must either proceed with his defence or adopt his stance that the prosecution has made no case.
Prosecution counsel argued that by opting not to enter a defence, Kanu is effectively relying solely on the case put up by the government.
The judge cautioned that this decision carries serious consequences and urged Kanu to consult experienced criminal law lawyers.
The trial has been mired in delays and controversy.
Kanu’s earlier no-case submission was rejected, and the court found that the evidence presented so far does justify the case proceeding.
With Kanu now refusing to open his defence on the grounds that no valid charge exists, the case enters a critical phase where the court must determine whether to accept his filing and move to judgment or compel him to present a defence.
The spotlight on the role of NAN adds a new media-freedom dimension to the courtroom drama.
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