8th November 2025, NewsOrient, News, Law And Society, Governance And Development

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday fixed judgment for November 20, 2025 in the terrorism trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice Omotosho chose the date on Friday while ruling after Kanu failed to open his defence, having exhausted the six days granted to him by the court to conduct his defence.

The judge said Kanu, having failed to utilise the opportunity granted him to conduct his defence, he cannot claim to have been denied the constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing.

Recall that Justice Omotosho had earlier given Kanu November 5, 2025 to defend the alleged terrorism charges against him or waive his right to do so.

After the prosecution had closed its case, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made a no-case submission but the court overruled it and directed Kanu to enter into his defence.

Justice Omotosho ordered that “should Kanu fail to open his defence on November 5, he would be deemed to have waived his right to do so.”

The court had, on October 27, 2025, adjourned till November 4 for Kanu to either file his final written address or open his defence.

But during the proceedings, Kanu, who as at that time had started conducting his case by himself, failed to file any final written address. He however filed a motion and a supporting affidavit.

Kanu said he would not enter any defence because he was convinced that “there is no valid charge, known to any extant law, that is pending against him.

Responding to Kanu’s submissions, prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted the competence of the fresh court documents filed by Kanu. According to the learned Silk, “the documents were not properly filed.”

But in his ruling, Justice Omotosho said the documents recently filed by Kanu “are in order and would be considered at the time of judgment.”

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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