Justice James Omotosho granted Kanu another adjournment till November 7, to enter his defence after the IPOB leader insisted that there were no valid terrorism charges against him and that he would not defend a charge he considered invalid. The judge had previously recused himself .
Nnamdi Kanu is a British-Nigerian political activist and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement advocating for the independence of a state called Biafra in southeastern Nigeria. He is a prominent and controversial figure known for his broadcasts on the London-based Radio Biafra, which calls for the self-determination of the Igbo people.
Key Details
Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, brought against him by the Federal Government.
The prosecution closed its case on June 19, 2025, after calling five witnesses to testify against Kanu.
He was subsequently expected to open his defence but maintained that he had no case to answer.
However, on September 26, 2025, the court rejected his no-case submission, holding that a prima facie case had been established against him and ordering him to enter his defence.
In late October, for the second time, Kanu failed to open his defence, claiming that his former lawyers had yet to hand over key documents to him.
On November 4, he repeated the same position, insisting that there was no valid charge for him to respond to.
At Wednesday’s resumed sitting, when called upon to open his defence, Kanu instead faulted the charges, arguing that there was nothing to defend under what he described as a repealed law.
Rather than addressing the business of the day, he spent several hours addressing the court on why the charges could not stand.
Among other things, Kanu argued that the Supreme Court, in its judgment ordering his trial, had directed the Federal Government to amend the charge since the one currently against him had been repealed.
He maintained that the prosecution’s failure to amend the charge was a violation of the apex court’s directive, insisting that no trial could proceed under a repealed law.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that,” he declared.
At this point, Justice Omotosho reminded him of the need to “keep his gunpowder dry”, but Kanu declined, maintaining that he had not seen any reason to open his defence on the existing charge.
He later stated that he was willing to open his defence but needed to consult with his four legal consultants, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara, and Mandela Umegborogu.
Based on this, the judge once again urged him to consult legal practitioners conversant with criminal law to aid his defence.
Earlier, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, had urged the court to enforce its previous order requiring Kanu to open his defence or waive his right to do so.
However, Justice Omotosho stated that he was inclined to bend backwards once more to give Kanu another opportunity to reconsider his stance.
He explained that the adjournment was being granted in the interest of justice, both to the defendant and to the nation.
Key Details
His methods have included civil disobedience, protests, and strong rhetoric on Radio Biafra, where he has been accused of using inflammatory language and calling for violence, though his supporters maintain he advocates peaceful resistance and self-defense.
He was subsequently expected to open his defence but maintained that he had no case to answer.
However, on September 26, 2025, the court rejected his no-case submission, holding that a prima facie case had been established against him and ordering him to enter his defence.
In late October, for the second time, Kanu failed to open his defence, claiming that his former lawyers had yet to hand over key documents to him.
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On November 4, he repeated the same position, insisting that there was no valid charge for him to respond to.
At Wednesday’s resumed sitting, when called upon to open his defence, Kanu instead faulted the charges, arguing that there was nothing to defend under what he described as a repealed law.
Rather than addressing the business of the day, he spent several hours addressing the court on why the charges could not stand.
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Among other things, Kanu argued that the Supreme Court, in its judgment ordering his trial, had directed the Federal Government to amend the charge since the one currently against him had been repealed.
He maintained that the prosecution’s failure to amend the charge was a violation of the apex court’s directive, insisting that no trial could proceed under a repealed law.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that,” he declared.
At this point, Justice Omotosho reminded him of the need to “keep his gunpowder dry”, but Kanu declined, maintaining that he had not seen any reason to open his defence on the existing charge.
He later stated that he was willing to open his defence but needed to consult with his four legal consultants, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara, and Mandela Umegborogu.
Based on this, the judge once again urged him to consult legal practitioners conversant with criminal law to aid his defence.
Earlier, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, had urged the court to enforce its previous order requiring Kanu to open his defence or waive his right to do so.
However, Justice Omotosho stated that he was inclined to bend backwards once more to give Kanu another opportunity to reconsider his stance.
He explained that the adjournment was being granted in the interest of justice, both to the defendant and to the nation.
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