Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed an application at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to stay further proceedings in his terrorism trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
Kanu’s appeal is based on the grounds that the trial court refused to rule on jurisdictional questions raised before it and failed to evaluate the evidence of prosecution witnesses.
Kanu argues that the trial court’s decision to proceed with judgment on November 20, 2025, without addressing these issues would be a denial of his right to fair hearing. He also claims that the charges against him are based on a repealed law, and therefore, the trial is invalid.
The IPOB leader had previously filed a no-case submission, which was dismissed by the trial court. He then indicated that he would not defend the case, citing the invalidity of the charges.
Justice Omotosho had fixed November 20 for judgment, stating that Kanu had exhausted his six days to conduct his defense.
Kanu’s application at the Court of Appeal seeks to halt the judgment, pending the determination of his appeal.
If granted, this could potentially prolong the trial, which has been ongoing since 2015.
