A chilling wave of unease sweeps through the streets of Abuja and beyond, igniting an air of tension as the Nigerian Army intensifies its crackdown following a thwarted coup attempt.

Authorities are now on high alert, engaging in a concerted effort to apprehend those suspected of orchestrating this bold plot against the state.

Military investigation into the alleged coup plot has reportedly uncovered a trail of N45 billion disbursed from the bank accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission to some politically exposed persons and the soldiers detained in connection with the rumoured conspiracy to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Earlier this month, Sahara Reporters reported that 16 Nigerian Army officers were detained for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The online newspaper had linked the alleged coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day by the Federal Government.

However, the military, in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, denied the report linking the detention of the16 military officers to a failed coup.

Multiple reports on Tuesday stated that some Nigerian Army personnel raided the Abuja residence of ex-governor Timipre Sylva, also a former Minister of State for Petroleum, in connection with the alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Advertisement

Sequel to the discovery, the Defence Intelligence Agency investigators grilled some top NDDC officials about the sources of the fund, beneficiaries and how it was utilised.

The development has set off panic alarms at the NDDC headquarters over alleged links to the financing of subversive activities.

The Federal Government had also denied the coup plot against Tinubu’s administration. The Defence Headquarters described reports of a coup attempt as “false, misleading, and malicious” and stated that 16 military officers in custody are being investigated for professional misconduct, not a coup plot.

While details of the interrogation of the NDDC officials remain unclear, investigators are said to be scrutinising a series of high-value transactions carried out in recent months allegedly linked to politically-exposed persons.

They include a shoreline project awarded to a former governor in the South-South to the tune of N45bn, some of which allegedly found its way to the account of some of the detained officers.

Security sources with knowledge of the ongoing probe confirmed that the interrogation of the NDDC top shots was “part of a broader intelligence-based inquiry into the movement of public funds.”

Sources in the NDDC disclosed to The PUNCH that many top officials are apprehensive that the development may trigger a broader probe into the commission’s financial dealings.

Advertisement

They affirmed that the invitation of the top NDDC executives had triggered widespread anxiety among senior officials.

According to one insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Since the news broke about the interrogation of the top shots, the atmosphere here has been uneasy. Many directors are being cautious about their movements and communications.”

Some executive directors who maintain close administrative ties with the embattled NDDC top shots are said to be worried about the development.

The development has sparked intense speculation within the commission, with staff expressing concern that the investigation could widen and implicate other senior officials.

The NDDC spokesperson, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, declined comments when asked about the quizzing of the commission’s officials.

Meanwhile, Sylva has denied alleged involvement in the coup plot.

His Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, said the rumour in some quarters is the handiwork of ‘’desperate and self-seeking politicians trying to actualise their ambitions in 2027.’’

Advertisement

On Wednesday, The PUNCH reported how Sylva’s Abuja home was raided by Defence Intelligence Agency operatives probing the controversial plot to forcefully change the government.

During the raid, which took place on Saturday, the operatives arrested Sylva’s younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and also took his driver into custody.

The former Bayelsa governor and All Progressives Congress chieftain was outside the country during the operation.

The media aide disclosed that the operatives did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence during the operation, noting that the two men that were arrested have yet to be released from custody.

Bokoru explained that no reason was provided for the raid. He further clarified that the former governor’s Yenagoa residence was not raided by the operatives.

He confirmed that Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, were out of the country at the time.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend “a professional conference.”

Advertisement

He said, “It’s not true. It is the handiwork of people in the state APC who are concerned about their governorship ambition in 2027,” he stated.

“Those doing this are in the state APC. It is about the 2027 governorship ambition. They are appointees of the Federal Government and instead of focusing on their work, they are playing local toxic politics.

‘’Such wicked politicians took their desperation to a nauseating level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility that had continued to expose their self-serving ambitions and evil agenda.”

Bokoru also said Sylva’s driver, as well as his younger brother, Paga, who were whisked away by the operatives on Saturday, were yet to be released from custody.

He disclosed that the operatives of the Defence Headquarters did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence when they raided it last Saturday.

However, a close associate of Sylva told The PUNCH that several parts of the house were damaged following Saturday’s raid.

He said, “Expensive doors were destroyed while a number of other household appliances were ransacked and scattered during the raid but nothing incriminating was found.”

Advertisement

He dismissed allegations linking the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to Sylva as part of the coup plot.

Ogbuku was the Chief of Staff to Sylva while he was Bayelsa governor.

When contacted, Ogbuku denied he was arrested. In a short message to The Punch correspondent, he said, “I’m not aware of such. Just the way you are seeing it is the same way I’m seeing it too on social media.”

Earlier, in a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Setting the record straight on recent false reports about Sylva,’ Bokoru denied Sylva’s reported involvement in the alleged coup plot.

He insisted that his principal was not involved in the planning or logistics of any coup.

The statement read, “In the past 48 hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has “fled” the country in connection with certain purported matters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

Advertisement

“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

“It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

“As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

“The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.

“While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or in logistics—with any such plot.

“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.’’

The statement further added, “His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.

Advertisement

“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.”

‘Detained military officers now 42’

Sources at the Defence Headquarters, who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust, revealed that more officers had been detained in connection to the alleged coup attempt, bringing the number of the detainees to 42,

“So far, 42 officers have been picked up. They are being interrogated to establish the depth of involvement and whether there was any concrete plan beyond mere discussions,” one of the sources said.

Another source stated that the number could rise as the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the military police continued to trace communication links and funding trails.

Source: The Punch and Daily Trust

READ ALSO 

Advertisement

Defection: APC Rejects Governor Kefas

A chilling wave of unease sweeps through the streets of Abuja and beyond, igniting an air of tension as the Nigerian Army intensifies its crackdown following a thwarted coup attempt.

Authorities are now on high alert, engaging in a concerted effort to apprehend those suspected of orchestrating this bold plot against the state.

In a dramatic turn of events, Timipre Sylva, the former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, revealed that armed military operatives stormed his residence in the capital. The shadows of his once-quiet home now bristle with the tensions of uncertainty and the heavy presence of law enforcement, as the nation grapples with the fallout from this serious breach of security.

Sylva, in a statement by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, also denied involvement in any attempt to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

It was gathered that soldiers had, on Sunday, raided Sylva’s Abuja and Bayelsa residences and arrested his brother.

The managing director of a federal agency located in the South-South was also said to have been arrested and interrogated by security agencies for allegedly transferring funds to Sylva for the purported coup financing.

Penultimate weekend, there were reports that 16 army officers were arrested and detained over an alleged coup attempt which was rumoured to have forced the president to cancel the October 1 Independence Day Anniversary parade.

Advertisement

But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the report as false and malicious, claiming the cancellation of the parade had nothing to do with any alleged coup attempt.

The DHQ had also clarified that the arrest and ongoing investigation of the officers reported in the media was a purely internal process aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks, not a politically motivated action.

This is even as Daily Trust learnt that the number of army officers detained over the alleged coup plot had grown to 42.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on Friday, made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in what the Presidency explained was part of efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.

Major-General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke was appointed Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas became Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, was retained.

According to the Daily Trust reports that a former governor from one of the southern states was being investigated for alleged links with the detained army officers.

Sources told Daily Trust that there was suspicion that the former governor financed the alleged plot, which was reportedly scheduled for October 25.

Advertisement

Sylva’s media aide, while responding to reports linking his principal to the rumoured coup, stated yesterday that some politicians were taking their desperation to a sickening level following his “intimidating political presence and credibility”.

He described the former governor as an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat, who had shown unwavering support to Tinubu and his administration.

He recalled that Sylva recently mobilised the entire structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa expanded stakeholders’ meeting.

Bokoru said the security operatives that raided Sylva’s house did not provide any reason for their action.

He confirmed that Sylva and his wife were already out of the country at the time of the raid.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

Bokoru said: “In the past forty-eight hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has ‘fled’ the country in connection with certain purported matters.

Advertisement

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

“It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

“As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

“The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.

“While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or in logistics with any such plot.

‘Detained military officers now 42’

Advertisement

Sources at the Defence Headquarters, who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust, revealed that more officers had been detained in connection to the alleged coup attempt, bringing the number of the detainees to 42,

“So far, 42 officers have been picked up. They are being interrogated to establish the depth of involvement and whether there was any concrete plan beyond mere discussions,” one of the sources said.

Another source stated that the number could rise as the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the military police continued to trace communication links and funding trails.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, while appearing TVC yesterday, said the Presidency aligned with the position of the military authority on the rumoured coup attempt.

He noted that the Armed Forces remain the constitutionally empowered institution to secure Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity, adding that the Tinubu administration has confidence in their loyalty.

“We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country. They are given the power, arms and ammunition as the intelligence power.

“So, when the military says these are the reasons why we have this development, we are going to stay with that narrative because that is the brief that is out there.

Advertisement

“Until the military comes with a different narrative, we are going to stay with that narrative,” Dare said.

‘Why FG may not confirm coup plot attempt’

In an interview with one of our correspondents, a security expert and retired military officer, Bashir Galma, said the government might not confirm the alleged coup plot in order not to scare investors away.

Source: Daily Trust

Kano Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has expressed strong criticism towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leadership of President Bola Tinubu for carrying out a policy that they had previously vehemently opposed.

During a recent address, Emir Sanusi highlighted the underlying motives behind the former president’s decision to reverse the subsidy removal, a major policy change that stirred considerable debate among stakeholders and citizens alike.

Sanusi, who previously served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), provided insight into the bold decision made by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to eliminate fuel subsidies.

He argued that Jonathan’s actions should be recognized and praised, as they were aimed at addressing the country’s economic challenges and promoting fiscal responsibility. Sanusi emphasized the long-term benefits of that decision, suggesting that it was a courageous move necessary for Nigeria’s financial stability.

The monarch, who was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2011 when former President Goodluck Jonathan first removed the fuel subsidy, noted that the ex-president should be given the credit for taking the bold step then, even though Tinubu and some APC leaders staged protests then.

Why Jonathan reversed subsidy removal
According to Sanusi, Jonathan did not return the subsidy because of Tinubu and other APC chieftains’ protests, but because of the activities of Boko Haram. He explained that su!cide bombers are everywhere, and if protesters are bombed and 200 people die, the debate would no longer be about fuel subsidy.

Sanusi’s revelation has started generating mixed reactions from concerned Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
“Nah! I disagree with his highness on this. How do you take a subsidy lid off what you don’t produce? A product whose price is solely determined by international prices? All hell would have broken loose on Nigerians.”

Advertisement

JagabanWarrior commends Sanusi’s position:
“Sanusi made valid points — leadership is about timing and courage. Today, President Tinubu has taken that tough but necessary step to remove subsidy, not for politics, but for Nigeria’s long-term stability and progress.”

Menelik accused the former CBN governor:
“This man still lied that $20bn was missing from the NNPC. That was another loaded weapon for APC propaganda. They knew it was a lie but went to town with it nevertheless.”

Oloyede also faulted Sanusi’s claim:
“He himself was part of the people who contributed to that failure. Did they come out to sensitise the public at the time? Was he not the same person who told us $20b was moved from the CBN without accountability?”

Oluwole Ojekunle alleged subsidy fraud under Jonatha:
“I have said it many times, there was no subsidy during Jonathan; it was just subsidy fraud. Sannusi, a CBN governor, couldn’t conduct a simple analysis. If 1 $ was sold for #150 and a barrel was sold for $100 under Jonathan, its # value = 15k naira/barrel. How much would 1 litre cost if 150 litres are found in a barrel?”

Various considerations must be taken into account regarding the ongoing legal proceedings of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently facing terrorism charges in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On Monday, Kanu stated that he would not present a defense in his terrorism trial, asserting that the charges brought against him lack validity.

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) told the judge, James Omotosho, that he had reviewed the case of the prosecution and found it was not worth defending.

Kanu, who is being tried for his violence-inciting campaigns for the independence of Nigeria’s South-east and parts of neighbouring states as Biafra, said there was no valid charge against him in the first place, rendering his defence unnecessary.

Considering that Kanu was not represented by a lawyer, the judge advised him to consult with legal experts. Although the prosecution insisted that the IPOB leader already made his choice not to enter a defence, the judge postponed proceedings till 4 November to enable the IPOB leader to take his final decision.

CONSEQUENCES

If Kanu is found guilty, he risks spending a lifetime jail sentence or worse of, death!

Advertisement

For the offence of terrorism, Section 4 of the Terrorism Prevention Act states that: (1) A person who knowingly, in any manner, solicits or renders support for (a) an act of terrorism; or (b) a proscribed organisation or an internationally suspected terrorist group. an offence under this Act and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a maximum term of 20 years.

(2) without prejudice to subsection (2) of this section, where death results from any terrorist act the penalty shall be death sentence.

For the offence of treason/treasonable felony, Section 37 and Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act prescribes either life imprisonment or a death sentence.

The recent revocation of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s visa has ignited a vibrant and urgent dialogue about the measures implemented by the U.S. to limit the flow of migrants, particularly from the diverse and rich landscapes of Africa.

This controversy has opened the floodgates to discussions surrounding the broader implications of immigration policies and their impact on individuals seeking new opportunities and refuge.

Soyinka explained on Tuesday that he shunned an invitation by the US embassy for a visa re-interview in September because he was not comfortable with the September 11 date fixed for the exercise.

September 11 became a symbolic date in the US after the September 11, 2021, devastating terror attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City and other locations.

Soyinka, who described himself as superstitious, said he found it odd that the embassy would choose September 11 for his visa re-interview.

The world-acclaimed writer gave the explanation during a media parley, titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface” which was held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

At the gathering, Soyinka disclosed that the US embassy had revoked his visa, saying the media parley was necessary to let those expecting him in the US to know that he had been “banned”.

Advertisement

Soyinka, who is a vocal critic of the US President Donald Trump, said he got the notice of his visa revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025, and wondered what could have led to it.

In the letter, the US Consulate stated that the Nobel laureate’s non-immigrant visa “has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in the U.S. Department of State regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid for application for entry into the United States. Additional information became available after the visa below was issued. This revocation refers only to the visa listed below.”

The Consulate further requested Soyinka to bring his visa to the Lagos embassy “for physical cancellation,” a request the Nobel laureate described as humorous, asking if anyone in the audience would volunteer to deliver it to the embassy on his behalf.

“If you have plans to travel to the United States, you must apply again to re-establish your qualifications for a new non-immigrant visa,” the letter, issued by the NIV Section of the Consulate, added.

Soyinka’s B1/B2 visa was issued on April 2, 2024, in Lagos, according to the letter.

Soyinka said the media parley was necessary so that people expecting him in the US would know that he had been “banned”.

“It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” the 91-year-old author, playwright, and poet told journalists at the upper chamber of the art gallery.

Advertisement

Soyinka expressed surprise over the development, saying, “I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”

He, however, noted that the development would not affect his relationship with US citizens.

“I assured them that both he and his staff are given permanent visas anytime they want to visit the Autonomous Republic of Ijegba, situated in Abeokuta. There will be no reciprocal conduct from my principalities,” Soyinka said, making reference to a recent conversation he had with the US ambassador in Lagos over the revocation.

When asked if he would be willing to travel to the United States in the near future, Soyinka responded in the affirmative but ruled out the possibility of him making the move to seek his visa reinstatement.

According to him, given his age and contributions to the U.S., he owes the country nothing and vice versa.

“How old am I now? What am I looking for anywhere? Like I said, I have nothing against the American citizens. Human beings live there — friends, families, and colleagues. There are a lot of art productions going on there, and there are philosophers. There are remarkable beings in that place.

“So, if circumstances change, yes (I will), and (if) I were invited. But I won’t make the effort myself. I won’t take the initiative myself because there is nothing I’m looking for there. I’ve been responsible for the creation of some institutions in that place. I’ve given as much as I’ve taken from that place. They owe me nothing, and I owe them nothing.”

Advertisement

On September 10, 2025, Soyinka told PM News that he would not honour an invitation by the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria for a visa re-interview, which was scheduled for Thursday, September 11.

Making reference to the invitation on Tuesday, Soyinka said he did not honour the invitation because, on one hand, he had a problem with the date, and on the other hand, he was not interested.

He said, “I don’t know if any of you read the statement I made when I received a letter asking me to bring back my passport because certain facts may have come out since the visa was issued.

“And I was given a date to report to their consulate with my passport. I declined the invitation. First of all, I didn’t like the date. Everybody knows what happened on that date, 9/11, many years ago, so it is rather unfortunate that they picked that date. So I said, ‘Sorry, I’m superstitious; I’m not coming on that day.’ And ultimately, I made it clear I was not going to apply for another date to bring in my passport. So I travelled out.

“When I came back — even before I came back — I got a letter from the ambassador. I wish to always stress that I have absolutely nothing against individual citizens. I have a continuing good relationship with members of the U.S. embassy.”

He continued, “So we arranged a call, and I explained. Again, he offered a special visit by me at the consulate, and they would ask a few questions about the possible facts that existed that they didn’t know about when this visa was issued. We spoke, and I said, ‘Shall I be equally frank with you? I’m not interested.’”

Best known as a playwright, Soyinka won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. He had lived abroad, primarily in the U.S., for a long time, where he held professorships at several universities, according to The Nobel Prize.

Advertisement

The PUNCH reported in July that the U.S. Department of State announced an update to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerian citizens.

According to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, “most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.”

However, the embassy clarified that “those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.”

In August, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria also issued a directive to visa applicants mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

The directive, announced in a post on the Mission’s official X account, came as the U.S. Department of State reiterated its commitment to bolster national security through enhanced screening measures.

Proceedings in the terrorism trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, took a dramatic turn on Monday, as the trial judge resorted to begging the defendant “in the name of God Almighty to consult properly,” before proceeding to defend himself.

Noting that Kanu had earlier fired his lawyers and opted to defend himself, Justice James Omotosho stressed that he needed to consult legal experts because “this is not economics; this is criminal prosecution.”

“I am begging you in the name of God Almighty to consult properly,” the judge pleaded. “I am inclined to granting you the adjournment you seek.”

“I know you are educated, but you are not a lawyer. You need to consult experts in the field. Please make adequate consultation. This is not economics; this is criminal prosecution. Please, my brother, make adequate consultation. Criminal cases are not like other cases. I took the opportunity to explain to the defendant because he is not a lawyer,” the judge stressed.

Kanu is being prosecuted on seven counts of terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court had on Friday adjourned till Monday for him to open his defence, after Kanu had submitted a list of 23 witnesses he intended to call.

Kanu said he needed an adjournment till Monday because his former legal team, led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file to him.

Advertisement

The IPOB leader expressed readiness to open his defence in a written application to the court, in which he indicated his intention to call witnesses and requested the issuance of witness summons.

Following his request, at the resumed sitting on Monday, the court reserved about five seats in the courtroom, each labelled “Summoned Witness,” in anticipation that Kanu would open his defence.

When the case was called, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), announced his appearance, while Kanu identified himself by name and stated that he was representing himself.

Afterwards, Awomolo informed the court that the business of the day was for the defendant to open his defence.

Responding, Kanu, who initially sat in the dock, stood up and stated that he had gone through the case files and discovered that the charges were unlawful.

He argued that since the prosecution had failed to establish any case against him, there was no need to proceed with his defence.

“There is actually no charge against me,” he said.

Advertisement

Kanu further argued that there was no extant law in the country upon which the prosecution could premise its case.

“There is no case against me. If there is no case against me, it will be futile for me to enter any defence,” he added.

At that point, Justice Omotosho intervened and explained to Kanu that in a criminal trial, the defendant has three options after the prosecution closes its case.

He said the first option is for the defendant to make a no-case submission, and if the court overrules it, the defendant is required to enter a defence.

The judge added that where a defendant chooses not to open a defence, he may decide to rest on the prosecution’s case and file a written address, to which the prosecution will reply, after which the court will deliver its judgment.

After listening to the judge’s explanation, Kanu reiterated: “My position is that there is no charge against me. There is no need for me to enter a defence. What I am saying is that there is no case against me.”

Justice Omotosho then reminded him that he had earlier ruled on Kanu’s no-case submission and held that he had a case to answer, noting that the ruling still subsists.

Advertisement

Kanu subsequently applied for a week’s adjournment to enable him to file a written address in support of his argument that no valid charge was pending against him, claiming he was being subjected to an unnecessary trial.

He said: “I need a week to file a written address to the effect that there is no charge against me. If there is no extant law in Nigeria on which the charge could stand, there cannot be a case. You must please release me today or grant bail.”

Responding, Awomolo said that based on the defendant’s statement and the option he had taken, the court should adjourn for judgment.

“I take it that the defendant has said he is not putting in any defence because there is no valid charge against him,” Awomolo submitted.

“I want to submit that this position is conclusive of the defendant’s defence. I know that he took a plea to counts against him and pleaded not guilty. We led evidence, and he cross-examined our witnesses. Now that he says he has no defence, the case has been brought to a close,” the prosecution added.

Awomolo noted that at this stage, there was only one option for the defendant, adding that if Kanu’s objection was to be treated as his defence, the prosecution would respond, and the court would subsequently deliver its judgment.

He explained that Kanu’s current position implied that he had opted to address the court on points of law as his defence.

Advertisement

In his intervention, Justice Omotosho observed that the defendant was not entirely saying he had no defence, but rather that the charge against him could not stand.

He said: “That is also a form of defence. In that case, he will have to put that down in a written submission, which will be served on the prosecution, who will then respond.”

The judge then advised Kanu to consult experts before deciding on how to proceed.

“There is a need for you (Kanu) to consult people who are knowledgeable in criminal prosecution to advise you on how to proceed,” the judge said.

“I am begging you in the name of God Almighty to consult properly. I am inclined to granting you the adjournment you seek.

“I know you are educated, but you are not a lawyer. You need to consult experts in the field. Please make adequate consultation. This is not economics; this is criminal prosecution. Please, my brother, make adequate consultation. Criminal cases are not like other cases. I took the opportunity to explain to the defendant because he is not a lawyer,” Justice Omotosho added.

The trial judge said he has a duty to explain to the defendant the consequences of his decision not to enter a defence.

Advertisement

He added that after Kanu dismissed his legal team, the court had considered referring the case to the Legal Aid Council or any lawyer willing to take it pro bono, but Kanu declined, insisting that he would defend himself.

“Even at that, I still have a duty to explain the consequences of his option to him because he is not a lawyer. Please, make consultation,” the judge said.

The court granted Kanu four days from Monday to file his written address and serve the prosecution to enable it to file its reply.

Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter till November 4, 5, and 6 for either the adoption of written addresses or for Kanu to open his defence, should he decide to change his mind.