There appears to be a new twist in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader has resolved to defend himself when his trial resumes on Friday before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

His brother, Emmanuel, said the IPOB leader?s shift to self-defence underscores his distrust in a system perceived to be stacked against him and the cause he champions.

He said the development signals a critical juncture in the case that has already exposed deep-seated concerns about the Nigerian judiciary?s handling of matters tied to the legitimate agitation for Biafra self-determination.

?On Friday, March 21, 2025, when the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu resumes before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja, he would be taking the bold step to defend himself in court.

?This development signals a critical juncture in this case that has already exposed deep-seated concerns about the Nigerian judiciary?s handling of matters tied to the legitimate agitation for Biafra self-determination.

?The absence of traditional legal representation will dismantle the usual, ?as my lord pleases? constraints that govern judicial proceedings in Nigeria, that has for decades allowed the courts to brazenly subvert the cause of justice under a cloak of deference that shield rather than expose injustice.

?The very foundations of the institutional bias that has long plagued this case will be laid bare for the world to see.?

The statement added that ?this decision by Kanu comes on the heels of his successfully forcing the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako, who brazenly defied the Supreme Court of Nigeria through her selective implementation of determination contained in their judgement. She was hell-bent on convicting a person for exercising a right that the laws of Nigeria stated unambiguously that he could.

?The handling of this case by the Federal Government has been marred by substantial prejudice and unfairness from day one.?

The statement was of the view that Kanu?s shift to self-defence places an immense burden on Justice Omotosho to uphold the principles of fair hearing, fair trial and the rule of law principles, which it said have too often been undermined In what it described as politically-charged sham trial.

Emmanuel said any failure by the new trial judge to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done, would further erode confidence in a judiciary already criticised for its selective application of the law.

Meanwhile, IPOB has advised the military to opt for dialogue as the best way to end the Monday sit-at-home in the South East.

Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful in a statement yesterday said although the group has for a long time banned sit-at-home in the zone, he however added that the call for the people to go about their normal life by the army on that day without a dialogue was an effort in futility.

Powerful, while commending those he claimed voluntarily stayed in their houses on that day affirmed that the release of Kanu would definitely end the Monday sit-at-home.

He said: ?Will the Nigerian Army go to the people?s houses to force them out on Mondays in order to end the sit-at-home? The answer is NO. Any responsible government would engage in dialogue and superior arguments to win the trust of citizens.

?Ndigbo love Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and have chosen to sit-at-home on Mondays in solidarity with him.

?Igbo governors and the Nigerian Government should toe the line of wisdom and release Kanu, and the Monday sit-at-home will immediately disappear. Blackmailing IPOB and ESN with Monday sit-at-home is a strategy that is dead on arrival,? Powerful stated. (Daily Sun)

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