The Federal High Court has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to November 7, after a session in which he strongly defended his right to represent himself in court.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Kanu focused his arguments on objections to the jurisdiction of the court. Despite concerns raised about the implications of defending himself without counsel, members of his legal advisory team insisted that Kanu is constitutionally empowered to do so.
Speaking to journalists after the sitting, one of the legal consultants, Alloy Ejimakor explained that Kanu’s decision mirrors historic resistance trials involving global freedom figures.
“He has a constitutional right to defend himself. This is not an ordinary criminal matter,” the counsel said. “If you look at politically charged trials involving Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Obafemi Awolowo, or Mahatma Gandhi, they also chose at certain points to speak for themselves. Political trials often require a wider moral and ideological defense that lawyers may be constrained from fully expressing.”
He noted that while lawyers generally strengthen a defense, the unique political context of the case makes Kanu’s direct voice pivotal.
The court adjourned the matter to November 7, when Kanu is expected to open his full defense or risk forfeiting the right to do so.
Ejimakor also addressed the court’s concern about press briefings, affirming that updating the public remains lawful and necessary.
“We have a fundamental right to speak to the press. If we don’t clarify what happened in court, many who were not inside may misreport events,” he said. “We are reporting only what transpired in open court, without prejudicing the trial.”
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The defense reiterated its appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discontinue the prosecution, describing the case as damaging to Nigeria’s global image.
“We are calling on Mr. President to discontinue this trial. It continues to embarrass Nigeria,” the counsel stated.
The case resumes on November 7.
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