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Nnamdi Kanu is taking a very risky gamble — Barrister Effiong

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Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has expressed concern for the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu after he opted not to open his defense today.

At the resumed proceedings on Monday, Kanu who has opted to defend himself after firing his team of lawyers, said he has gone through his case file and there is no charge against him.

Diaspora Digital Media also reported that Nnamdi Kanu abandoned his plan to call witnesses in his defence.

He informed the court that after reviewing his case-file, he believes the prosecution hasn’t established a case, making it unnecessary to proceed with his defence.

Justice James Omotosho advised Kanu to file a written address and consult criminal law experts, considering the implications of his decision.

The judge adjourned the trial to November 4-6 for the adoption of final written addresses or for Kanu to enter his defence

But reacting to the development in a statement, Barrister Effiong described Nnamdi Kanu’s legal strategy as confusing.

According to him, there are two options that Nnamdi Kanu can explore– either he opens his defence, or he rests his case on the case of the prosecution.

He argued in the statement that Nnamdi Kanu is taking a very risky gamble and the law is firmly settled that a defendant has no obligation to prove or establish his or her innocence.

The statement reads: “Nnamdi Kanu’s legal strategy is confusing at this point.

“The Court had previously overruled his No Case Submission.

“It is no longer open to him to contend that he has no case to answer.

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“There are two options that he can explore: either he opens his defence, or he rests his case on the case of the prosecution.

“He has indicated that he no longer intends to open his defence.

“My understanding of the media reports of today’s proceedings is that Kanu believes that the prosecution has not proved the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt.

“If my assessment is wrong, then palpable confusion has ensued.

“He is taking a very risky gamble.

“However, the law is firmly settled that a defendant has no obligation to prove or establish his or her innocence.

“Since this defendant, Kanu, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court will now have to examine the evidence adduced by the prosecution to see whether the elements of the offences charged have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“The fact that Kanu has elected to pursue his case in this manner is not going to be construed as an admission of guilt.

“However, the evidence adduced by the prosecution team would be deemed as unchallenged, save for the evidence elicited under cross examination.

“The court will still have to determine whether on the basis of the admitted evidence, the prosecution has discharged the burden of proof placed on it in law.

“I don’t know who’s advising Kanu, or what his motivation is, but he is taking a very risky decision.”

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PHOTO: Kanu in Supreme Court, submits appeal against Nov 20 ruling

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Nnamdi Kanu
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The embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared at the Supreme Court earlier today, to personally deliver a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the discontinuation of his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu cited the use of a repealed law as the basis for his appeal.

Accompanied by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), this move marks a last-minute effort to stop the judgment slated for November 20.

This follows Kanu’s recent application filed at the Court of Appeal, where he requested a stay of proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho.

In the motion, he urged the appellate court to suspend the judgment pending the resolution of his appeal, arguing that his trial is being conducted under a law that no longer exists.

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Why I regret dragging PDP to court — Sule Lamido

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Sule Lamido PDP Coalition 2027
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Former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido said he’s truly sad that he had to drag the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Federal High Court in Abuja after being barred from the party’s 2025 national convention.

Lamido, who served two terms as governor (2007–2015) and was once foreign affairs minister, recalled his long‑standing relationship with the PDP, noting that he built the party “with sweat and soul.”

He said he went to the party secretariat on 27 October to buy the national‑chairmanship nomination form, but officials refused to sell it to him. That denial pushed him to file an ex‑parte motion on 31 October, asking the court to restrain the PDP from holding the convention until his complaint was heard.

Justice Peter Lifu granted a restraining order, stopping the PDP’s convention (scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan) and barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising it.

The judge found the PDP had failed to publish the convention timetable to members as required by law and that Lamido’s exclusion would cause him “greater harm.”

The court also ordered the PDP to pay damages if the suit was later deemed frivolous.

Speaking after the ruling, Lamido lamented: “If my party lost, I also lose. I feel like crying, taking this path. When we fight as brothers, the trust is lost, the bond of brotherhood is also lost.”

He added that he still supports the opposition’s unity under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but will never leave the PDP.

The case was adjourned for judgment on 13 November 2025.

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Nnamdi Kanu Moves To Stop Court From Ruling On Terrorism Charges

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(DDM) — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt plans to deliver judgment in the ongoing terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed the motion seeking to restrain the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, from proceeding with the judgment pending the outcome of other related appeals currently before the Supreme Court.

According to the defense team, going ahead with the judgment would amount to a breach of Kanu’s constitutional rights, particularly as several issues concerning the legality of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 remain unresolved.

The motion, DDM learned, argues that the Federal Government acted unlawfully by continuing to prosecute Kanu despite the Court of Appeal’s 2022 ruling, which discharged and acquitted him of all terrorism-related allegations, citing procedural violations by the state.

Kanu’s lawyers insisted that the Supreme Court’s yet-to-be-delivered judgment in the government’s appeal against that decision must first be determined before any new ruling at the High Court level.

They also contended that any attempt to proceed with the terrorism judgment could prejudice Kanu’s right to fair hearing and amount to judicial overreach.

Sources close to the defense revealed that Kanu’s legal strategy is to ensure that the matter is not determined twice on overlapping issues, which could create confusion in the judicial process.

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The Federal Government, however, is expected to oppose the motion, arguing that the High Court retains jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter pending any directive from the apex court.

DDM recalls that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after he was forcibly returned to Nigeria from Kenya in an operation widely condemned by international human rights organisations.

His detention has since sparked widespread agitation across the South-East region, with IPOB members and civil rights groups demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Observers say this latest motion marks another chapter in Kanu’s long-running legal battle with the Nigerian state, one that has tested the boundaries of both national security and constitutional justice.

Analysts also note that the outcome of the case will have significant political and social implications, particularly as the South-East continues to grapple with economic disruptions, insecurity, and separatist tensions linked to IPOB activities.

Kanu’s supporters have maintained that his prosecution is politically motivated, while the government insists that he must face the law for allegedly inciting violence, broadcasting falsehoods, and promoting secessionist activities.

The court is expected to announce a new date for the hearing of Kanu’s motion, which will determine whether Justice Nyako can proceed with the planned judgment.

As of press time, neither the Federal Ministry of Justice nor the DSS had issued an official statement on the latest development.

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