The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism case involving Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Friday after Kanu failed to open his defence, even after the six days earlier given to him by the court to present his case.
The judge said Kanu was given enough time to defend himself and could not later claim he was denied a fair hearing.
“Having failed to utilise the opportunity granted to him to conduct his defence, the defendant cannot claim to have been denied his rights under the law,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
Kanu, who is representing himself after disengaging his lawyers, instead filed a motion challenging the validity of the charges against him.
He argued that the law under which he was being prosecuted — the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act — had been repealed, claiming that terrorism was no longer an offence in Nigeria.
Kanu urged the court to dismiss the charges and set him free, insisting there was no legal basis for his continued detention.
The Federal Government had accused Kanu of terrorism-related offences and incitement through his activities as IPOB leader. He has been in custody since his re-arrest in 2021 after fleeing the country during his earlier trial.
Justice Omotosho is expected to deliver the long-awaited judgment on November 20.
