November 20th is the D-day as Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, just set himself up for a massive showdown by firing his lawyers and defending himself. The risk? HUGE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ultimate legal gamble<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kanu fired his entire legal team and decided to represent himself in this high profile terrorism trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terrorism cases are super complex and technical. Handling them without legal experts is seen by many as a massive, high-risk strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cno case\u201d argument<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kanu argues that the entire case is illegal because the specific terrorism law used to charge him has been repealed (doesn\u2019t exist anymore). Because the views the charge as invalid, he inisists he has no reason to defend himself. This is seen as a political challenge to the Federal Government\u2019s power to prosecute him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Judge\u2019s ruling gavel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Justice James Omotosho disagreed with Kanu\u2019s refusal to present a defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Kanu had multiple chances to defend himself but refused, the court has ruled he has waived his right to defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What this means<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The court can now proceed to judgment based on the evidence presented by the prosecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roadblock to freedom<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria\u2019s highest court, the Supreme court has already ruled that Kanu must face trial, effectively green-lighting the proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even Kanu\u2019s controversial return from Kenya (rendition) was acknowledged by the Supreme Court, but they insisted the trial must continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chances<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barring the court agreeing that the entire charges lack a legal basis (Kanu\u2019s only hope), his chances of outright release are considered very low. Similarly, there is no recorded history in Nigerian jurisprudence of any person successfully representing him\/herself in court in a terrorism charge has succeeded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"