After years of legal battles over terrorism charges, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will finally learn the court’s verdict today.
Kanu’s case has been among the most high-profile in Nigeria in recent years. Initially arrested in 2015, he faced charges including treasonable felony and terrorism. The trial has been marked by twists and turns.
In 2017, Kanu skipped the country while out on bail after a military raid during “Operation Python Dance” in the South-East.
He was controversially arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and returned to Nigeria—a move described by his legal team and IPOB as “extraordinary rendition.”
Upon his return, the charges expanded to 15 counts, covering terrorism and incitement.
Kanu’s defense has persistently questioned the trial’s validity, citing legal errors and possible breaches of extradition and jurisdictional laws.
The Federal Government is represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, while Kanu is defending himself.
Key Trial Moments:
9:59 am: Judge orders DSS to remove Kanu from the courtroom after he questions the waiver of his final written address.
9:57 am: Kanu insists on his right to file final written submissions despite the judge’s push to proceed.
9:52 am: Justice Omotosho notes most issues raised have been repeatedly heard; declines to entertain stay of proceedings or bail related to superior court judgments.
9:49 am: Kanu applies for bail, citing concurrent rulings from higher courts.
9:42 am: Kanu denies jumping bail and questions why he remains detained on alleged nonexistent charges.
9:39 am: Government counsel Awomolo urges dismissal of Kanu’s bail application for lack of merit.
9:38 am: Bail application filed under section 158 of the ACJA.
9:34 am: Kanu states he entered a defense but did not call witnesses.
9:33 am: Kanu outlines several motions he personally filed, including those requesting referral of constitutional questions to the Court of Appeal, filing of prosecution’s final address, and bail.
9:27 am: Kanu claims Count 7 does not exist, arguing it invalidates the entire trial.
9:26 am: Judge consolidates Kanu’s three motions.
9:20 am: Kanu highlights his pending motion before the Court of Appeal.
9:14 am: Court proceedings open with the judge emphasising courtroom decorum.
9:12 am: Kanu asserts no judgment can be passed as he has ongoing processes.
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