‘I have no case to answer’: Nnamdi Kanu shelves plan for defence

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has abandoned his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence in the ongoing trial for alleged terrorism.

Kanu, on Monday, October 27, 2025, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he perused the case file and concluded that he had no case to answer.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, on Friday, fixed today (Monday) for Kanu to open his defence following his complaint that the case file was yet to be handed over to him.

The IPOB leader had, in a motion filed on October 21, informed the court of his intention to call about 23 witnesses and applied for witness summons.

Nnamdi Kanu to court: My witnesses coming from US, Kenya, others

But when the case was called on Monday, Kanu said he had gone through the case file and had realised that there is no valid charge against him.

He argued that since he was convinced that there is no valid charge against him and that he was subjected to unlawful trial, there would no be need for him to conduct any defence.

Justice Omotosho then asked him to file a written address to that effect and serve the prosecution.

The judge urged the IPOB leader to consult experts in criminal law on the consequences of the option he had chosen.

Justice Omotosho, thereafter, adjourned the matter until November 4, 5, and  6 for the adoption of the final written addresses.

The Star