The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has again called for his immediate release, insisting that he has no valid case to answer before the court.
Kanu made the demand on Tuesday after he refused to open his defence to the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.
Representing himself after dismissing his legal team, Kanu argued that there was no valid charge currently before the court, claiming that the alleged offences were unknown to any existing Nigerian law.
“You cannot ask me to begin my defence when you have not stated the law under which I am being charged. The records of this court show there is no law backing these charges. I request to be released,” he said.
Kanu urged the trial judge to take judicial notice of his motion and supporting affidavit challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue the case. He further maintained that his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 has no legal basis.
Citing Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Kanu argued that he could not be tried for an offence not clearly defined by law. He also claimed that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he was charged had been repealed.
“There is no valid charge against me. I will not go back to any detention today unless I am shown the valid law under which I am being tried,” Kanu declared.
“Prosecuting me under a repealed law is a violation of my fundamental rights.”
He further alleged that the Federal Government violated a Supreme Court judgment that condemned his alleged extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021, maintaining that continuing the trial amounts to a breach of that ruling.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted the documents filed by Kanu, arguing that they lacked probative value and should be disregarded.
Awomolo urged the court not to further indulge the defendant, whom he accused of deliberately wasting judicial time. He then prayed the court to treat the documents Kanu filed as his final written address and to proceed with adopting the parties’ submissions so that judgment can be delivered.