Nnamdi Kanu Holds Rare Private Meeting with Legal Team Ahead of Defence Opening

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday held a rare private consultation with his legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), as preparations intensify for the opening of his defence.

Kanu, who was brought to court by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), met with his lawyers inside Court 7 of the Federal High Court headquarters in Abuja — the same courtroom where his ongoing terrorism trial is being heard by Justice James Omotosho.

The closed-door meeting, held between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon, was approved by Justice Omotosho to allow Kanu confer freely with his defence team away from DSS surveillance. The session formed part of the defence’s final preparations before the case formally resumes on Thursday, October 23.

Justice Omotosho had, on October 16, granted Kanu six consecutive days — beginning October 23 — to open and close his defence under an accelerated hearing schedule.

Agabi had earlier expressed concern that consultations between Kanu and his lawyers at the DSS facility could be monitored or recorded, prompting the court to allow the meeting to take place within the courtroom instead.

With the consultation concluded, Kanu’s legal team is expected to begin presenting its case when the trial resumes, marking a crucial phase in the high-profile proceedings.