- Safiu Kehinde
The Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has concluded his private consultation with his legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN).
As proved by the presiding judge in his alleged terrorism trial, Justice James Omotosho, Kanu met with his legal team on Wednesday in preparation for his defence.
The meeting was held in Court 7, located on the second floor of the Federal High Court headquarters complex in Abuja, the same courtroom where proceedings in his ongoing terrorism trial is being conducted.
According to reports, Agabi had on October 16 applied orally for the court to grant Kanu’s legal team and opportunity for a private consultation session with the defendant, outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said the defendant’s legal team was afraid that its consultation with him (Kanu) could be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
In reaction, Justice Omotosho granted the request and also approved Agabi’s request that the private meeting with Kanu be held in the courtroom, during which only the defendant and his lawyers would be present.
The presiding judge granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning from Thursday, to open and close his defence in view of the accelerated hearing earlier granted in the case.
Nnamdi Kanu’s trial had over time been met several stumbling blocks until its eventual commencement in April 2025.
However, the recent IPOB leader’s health concern had stalled the trial as doubt arose over his fitness to continue with the trial.
While initial medical report by his medical team declared Kanu unfit for trial, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) report, as ordered by the court, declared him fit as his health concern was said not to be life-threatening.
The IPOB leader’s health concern had however reignited calls for his release.
This would be intensified by the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest led by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday.