Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he has no case to answer in the terrorism and treasonable felony charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu made the declaration on Wednesday, immediately after the prosecution announced the closure of its case. The government wrapped up its case after presenting five witnesses, the last of whom testified behind a protective screen under the pseudonym “EEE.”
Lead counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told the court that the evidence and testimonies presented through the five prosecution witnesses were sufficient to establish the allegations against the IPOB leader.
“We are satisfied that we have made our case and will not be calling additional witnesses,” Awomolo stated.
In response, Kanu’s lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, informed the court of the defendant’s decision to file a no-case submission. He argued that the evidence provided by the prosecution failed to link Kanu to the charges and did not establish a prima facie case that would warrant him entering a defence.
A no-case submission is a legal argument that asks the court to dismiss a case because the prosecution has not presented enough evidence to continue with the trial. If the court agrees, the defendant will be discharged, effectively ending the case.
Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, directed both parties to file their written addresses within 14 days and granted two additional days for replies on points of law. The court adjourned proceedings until July 18 for the adoption of final arguments on the no-case submission.
Earlier in the session, the final prosecution witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, claimed that Kanu’s broadcasts during the 2020 #EndSARS protests incited violence that led to the deaths of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations.
Though the witness admitted he never met Kanu personally, he said his intelligence team monitored the destruction linked to the broadcasts and compiled reports, which were tendered in court. Among the admitted exhibits were death certificates of officers, a damage assessment report, and a certificate of compliance.
Kanu’s legal team, however, opposed the admissibility of the documents, reserving full arguments for their final address.
The outcome of the no-case submission, expected on July 18, will determine whether Kanu will be discharged or called upon to open his defence.
