The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was paused on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after he informed the court that he could not proceed with his defence due to a lack of access to his case file.
Kanu, who had dismissed his legal team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN) the previous day, explained that he needed the file to adequately prepare for the case.
During Friday’s session, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) stated that the hearing was scheduled for Kanu to begin his defence.
However, Kanu, representing himself, told the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) had not provided him with the case file as expected.
“Those responsible for delivering the file to me in DSS custody could not reach me,” he said.
He requested an adjournment to Monday, October 27, to review the file and prepare his defence.
Kanu also revealed that he was expecting witnesses from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
He requested that the DSS grant him access to visitors over the weekend to support his preparations.
Prosecutor Awomolo did not object to the request, and Justice James Omotosho directed the DSS to allow Kanu to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
The judge then adjourned the trial to October 27, emphasizing that the six-day period allocated for Kanu’s defence, which began on October 23, would not be extended.