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The judge adjourned till 8 October for continuation of Mr Kanu’s trial
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), signalling that the prosecution has presented sufficient terrorism evidence warranting his explanation.
The judge, James Omotosho, in a ruling, ordered Mr Kanu to enter his defence, as the prosecution has established a prima facie case against him.
The judge held that the evidence presented by the prosecution through its five witnesses were such that there was the need for the IPOB leader to provide some explanations in the offences with which he was charged.
Mr Omotosho, then, adjourned the matter until 8 October.
Mr Kanu had filed the no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case in June, urging the court to excuse him from putting forward any defence and dismiss the charges. But the Nigerian government’s prosecution team asked the court to throw out the application, insisting that Mr Kanu has a case to answer.
The IPOB leader faces terrorism charges which stemmed from his agitation for the secession of Nigeria’s South-east states and parts of neighbouring states as an independent state of Biafra.
The prosecution closed its case after the fifth witness finished testifying on 19 June.
But instead of opening his defence, Mr Kanu, through his lawyers, said he would rather file a no-case submission to seek the dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the evidence presented by the prosecution failed to establish any case against him to warrant him entering any defence.
Mr Omotosho dismissed the application on Friday.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is expected to present its report on Mr Kanu’s fitness or otherwise to stand trial when proceedings resume on 8 October.
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