Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, stunned the Federal High Court in Abuja as he declined to open his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing, Kanu, who recently dismissed his legal team and chose to represent himself, told the court that after reviewing his case file, he found no valid charge against him under Nigerian law.
“Join me in praising God,” Kanu said, standing confidently in the dock. “I have gone through my case file, and there is no charge against me.”
The IPOB leader argued that the charges leveled against him have no legal foundation and cannot be sustained under any existing Nigerian statute. He challenged the prosecution to cite any extant law that validates the accusations.
“There is no extant law in this country upon which the prosecution can predicate the charges against me,” Kanu declared. “If there’s any, let my Lord read it out to me.”
He further insisted that he should not be compelled to defend himself on a non-existent charge, urging the court to either discharge him or grant him bail pending the resolution of his case.
“So, I should not enter any defence in a charge that does not exist under any law in Nigeria,” Kanu told the court. “I urge you to release me today or grant me bail.”
The session, presided over by Justice Omotosho, was marked by tense moments as the courtroom fell silent following Kanu’s submission.
