Court To Rule October 10 On Nnamdi Kanu’s Bid To Stop Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 10 to rule on a motion seeking to halt the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu, through his legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), is asking the court to discharge and acquit him of the remaining seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

He argued that the Federal Government has not presented any credible evidence to justify the charges, pointing out that the five witnesses—all DSS operatives—failed to link him to any criminal act. Agabi noted there was no investigation report before the court and that no victims of alleged incitement were presented as witnesses.

He further argued that Kanu’s broadcasts, which the prosecution cited, were misinterpreted, claiming his client only urged citizens to defend themselves—a right echoed by figures like DSS DG Adeola Ajayi and ex-Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma. He also questioned the legality of IPOB’s proscription, arguing it lacked presidential approval, and challenged the court’s jurisdiction over the alleged importation of a radio transmitter.

Agabi condemned Kanu’s prolonged solitary confinement, which he said violates international law that limits such confinement to 15 days.

On the other hand, prosecution counsel Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) asked the court to dismiss the no-case submission, insisting that Kanu openly admitted to leading a proscribed group and made violent broadcasts which incited attacks leading to the deaths of over 170 security personnel. He maintained that the broadcasts were not mere boasts and urged the court to compel Kanu to open his defence.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case till October 10 for ruling.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017. He fled Nigeria after a military raid on his home and was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria. He has since been in DSS custody. The Court of Appeal ordered his release in 2022, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision in 2023, allowing the trial to continue on a reduced seven-count charge.