Judgement day comes for Nnamdi Kanu

By Paul Dada

On Thursday, the 20th day of November, the fate of the leader of  the outlawed indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, whom many have loved to hate, will be decided at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho scheduled the judgment after ruling that Kanu had exhausted the six days allocated for him to open his defence in the terrorism case brought againts him by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government had brought a seven-count charge against Kanu, which included terrorism-related offences tied to his broadcasts and leadership of IPOB. Nigerian authorities described them  as a threat to national security. According to prosecutors, Kanu’s statements incited violence and undermined the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.

The matter reached a critical stage  on  19 June 2025  when the prosecution closed its case after presenting witnesses and documentary evidence.

Kanu filed a no-case submission which was dismissed by the judge.  But rather than open a conventional defence, Kanu focuses on challenging the legality and jurisdiction of the trial. he claims  he cannot be tried under what he describes as an invalid or repealed terrorism law. He argues that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act relied upon in the charge no longer has legal effect.

Kanu has also asked the court to expunge his earlier ‘not guilty’ plea,  as he claims it was entered under circumstances that violated his rights.

The IPOB boss  has further described the proceedings as “a conspiracy,” insisting that both local and foreign actors are pushing for his conviction. In a dramatic turn, he filed a motion at the Court of Appeal seeking to halt the High Court’s judgment, arguing that his appeal against the dismissal of his no-case submission was still pending.

But Justice Omotosho dismissed concerns about fairness, as he insisted  that Kanu was granted more than enough time to defend himself but chose not to.

At the last sitting of the court on the matter, the judge also waived the requirement for final written addresses, saying the court would rely solely on the arguments and materials already on record.

It reamins to be seen whether Kanu will be set free by the judge or  given a sentence which would keep him in prison for many more years.