Politics
Court gives Nnamdi Kanu another chance to open defence
The Federal High Court in Abuja has, for the fourth time, given the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, another opportunity to defend the terrorism charges filed against him by the federal government or waive his right to do so.
Justice James Omotosho granted Kanu another adjournment till November 7, to enter his defence after the IPOB leader insisted that there were no valid terrorism charges against him and that he would not defend a charge he considered invalid.
Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, brought against him by the Federal Government.
The prosecution closed its case on June 19, 2025, after calling five witnesses to testify against Kanu.
He was subsequently expected to open his defence but maintained that he had no case to answer.
However, on September 26, 2025, the court rejected his no-case submission, holding that a prima facie case had been established against him and ordering him to enter his defence.
In late October, for the second time, Kanu failed to open his defence, claiming that his former lawyers had yet to hand over key documents to him.
On November 4, he repeated the same position, insisting that there was no valid charge for him to respond to.
At Wednesday’s resumed sitting, when called upon to open his defence, Kanu instead faulted the charges, arguing that there was nothing to defend under what he described as a repealed law.
Rather than addressing the business of the day, he spent several hours addressing the court on why the charges could not stand.
Among other things, Kanu argued that the Supreme Court, in its judgment ordering his trial, had directed the Federal Government to amend the charge since the one currently against him had been repealed.
He maintained that the prosecution’s failure to amend the charge was a violation of the apex court’s directive, insisting that no trial could proceed under a repealed law.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that,” he declared.
At this point, Justice Omotosho reminded him of the need to “keep his gunpowder dry”, but Kanu declined, maintaining that he had not seen any reason to open his defence on the existing charge.
He later stated that he was willing to open his defence but needed to consult with his four legal consultants, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara, and Mandela Umegborogu.
Based on this, the judge once again urged him to consult legal practitioners conversant with criminal law to aid his defence.
Earlier, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, had urged the court to enforce its previous order requiring Kanu to open his defence or waive his right to do so.
However, Justice Omotosho stated that he was inclined to bend backwards once more to give Kanu another opportunity to reconsider his stance.
He explained that the adjournment was being granted in the interest of justice, both to the defendant and to the nation.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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