Public interest lawyer, Liborous Oshoma, has cautioned that the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, could take a decisive turn if the defendant fails to properly present his case.
According to Oshoma, the presiding judge may decide to close the defense and proceed to deliver judgment should Kanu’s legal team appear unprepared or continue to delay proceedings.
Oshoma issued this warning during an interview from 6:29 with TVC News while discussing the potential implications of Kanu’s decision to summon high-profile individuals many of whom currently hold public office as witnesses in his defense.
He explained that while Nigerian courts have the legal authority to compel witnesses to appear, enforcing such summonses against individuals with constitutional immunity poses significant challenges.
The lawyer noted that Kanu’s reported list of witnesses includes serving governors, a former Attorney General of the Federation, and past heads of national security agencies.
Oshoma questioned the feasibility of compelling such individuals to testify, pointing out that governors currently in office enjoy immunity from legal proceedings under the Nigerian Constitution.
Oshoma further observed that the subpoenas issued in Kanu’s defense do not appear to involve the presentation of documentary evidence, raising doubts about the specific purpose or impact of calling these witnesses.
He added that individuals linked to sensitive national security matters may also decline to appear in court or testify publicly, citing security protocols and official confidentiality.
Speaking on Kanu’s readiness to commence his defense, Oshoma expressed skepticism, suggesting that the defense team may not yet be adequately prepared.
He warned that any continued delay could frustrate the judicial process and prompt the court to invoke its powers to conclude the trial.
“Permit me to say this,” Oshoma said. “I doubt if Kanu is really ready to open a defense in the matter. If care is not taken, the judge might just go ahead to foreclose his defense and deliver judgment.”
The caution comes amid renewed legal debates over the handling of Kanu’s prolonged trial, which has drawn both domestic and international attention.
Legal analysts say the case remains one of the most politically sensitive prosecutions in recent Nigerian history, touching on issues of national unity, constitutional rights, and due process.
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