Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has said the legal strategy of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in the terrorism and treason trial against him has become confusing.

This was after Kanu, on Monday, withdrew his motion to call witnesses as he opened his defence against the federal government's allegations.

According to him, he has no case to answer, so there is no need to open a defence.

Reacting, lawyer Effiong reminded him that the court had earlier overruled his No Case Submission, which enabled the trial to continue.

He said on X, "Nnamdi Kanu’s legal strategy is confusing at this point. The Court had previously overruled his No Case Submission. It is no longer open to him to contend that he has no case to answer.

"There are two options that he can explore: either he opens his defence, or he rests his case on the case of the prosecution. He has indicated that he no longer intends to open his defence.

"My understanding of the media reports of today’s proceedings is that Kanu believes that the prosecution has not proved the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt.

"If my assessment is wrong, then palpable confusion has ensued. He is taking a very risky gamble. However, the law is firmly settled that a defendant has no obligation to prove or establish his or her innocence.

"Since this defendant, Kanu, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court will now have to examine the evidence adduced by the prosecution to see whether the elements of the offences charged have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

"The fact that Kanu has elected to pursue his case in this manner is not going to be construed as an admission of guilt.

"However, the evidence adduced by the prosecution team would be deemed as unchallenged, save for the evidence elicited under cross examination.

"The court will still have to determine whether on the basis of the admitted evidence, the prosecution has discharged the burden of proof placed on it in law.

"I don’t know who’s advising Kanu, or what his motivation is, but he is taking a very risky decision."

ASA