The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed November 20, 2025, for judgment in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is facing charges bordering on alleged terrorism.

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, set the date on Friday after foreclosing Kanu’s right to present his defence, following his repeated refusal to proceed under a law he claimed had been repealed.

“This court has given the defendant every opportunity required under Section 36 of the Constitution, and I will not allow this to continue. It is on this basis, without hesitation, that I hold that the defendant has waived his right,” the judge ruled.

Kanu had consistently declined to open his defence, insisting there was no valid charge against him and that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) was illegal.

The court had, on October 24, adjourned the matter to October 27 to allow Kanu commence his defence after he disengaged his legal team and opted to represent himself. On November 4, Justice Omotosho gave the defendant a final opportunity to open his defence or risk forfeiting his right to do so.

Despite the judge’s persuasion for him to engage legal counsel, Kanu maintained that the terrorism charges were unconstitutional, citing Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution to argue that there was “no written law establishing terrorism as an offence in Nigeria.”

At Friday’s proceedings, Kanu complained that he had been prevented from filing an important process. The judge subsequently directed that the court’s registry be temporarily relocated to the courtroom to enable the defendant file the document. Proceedings were stood down for one hour to complete the process.

Upon reconvening, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government, informed the court that he would rely on the exhibits already attached to the defendant’s motions rather than file a new response.

In one of his motions, Kanu asked the court to expunge his “not guilty” plea from the record, alleging that he was “deceptively arraigned” in violation of his constitutional rights. He also sought an order nullifying all proceedings in the case and demanding his immediate release.

Justice Omotosho, however, held that the defendant’s refusal to present his case amounted to a waiver of his right to fair hearing, having been given several opportunities to do so.

The court then adjourned the matter to November 20 for judgment.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

There was anxiety on Saturday following reports that Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, collapsed while in detention at Kuje Prison.

Ejimakor was among those arrested during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday. The protesters were later arraigned before a magistrate court and subsequently remanded in prison custody.

Although they were granted bail, it was alleged that the presiding Magistrate, Abubakar Umar Sai’id, refused to sign the bail bond, preventing their release.

It has now emerged that Ejimakor reportedly slumped at the Kuje Correctional Centre and was rushed to the Kuje Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident, another of Kanu’s lawyers, Barrister Maxwell Opara, said he visited Ejimakor at the medical facility.

“Yes, I went to see him and he was admitted at the Kuje Medical Centre where they are treating him. I left there a few hours ago,” Opara said.

“The thing happened before I arrived. We got there around 12, and I started hearing the news. As one of his lawyers and colleagues, I insisted on seeing him. They took me to see him. I also saw Sowore and others before that.”

Ejimakor, a prominent member of Kanu’s legal team, has been actively involved in defending the detained IPOB leader in his ongoing legal battles with the Federal Government.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The FCT Minister says he cannot testify in Kanu’s trial based on media reports alone.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will only appear as a witness in the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if he is formally summoned by the court.

Wike made this clarification during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, stressing that his name appearing in the newspapers does not automatically make him a witness in the ongoing case.

“You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process; nobody has subpoenaed me,” Wike said.
“So, because I saw Wike listed, I will not begin to run helter-skelter. No, you don’t do that. If I am served, if I am subpoenaed to come and give a witness or give evidence, I must obey the court; I must appear.”

When asked why Kanu listed him as one of his witnesses, the Minister said he had no idea.
“If you see Nnamdi Kanu, you ask him, ‘Why did you list me? I did not go and say I want to be a witness,’” he said.

Wike also declined to comment on whether Kanu’s continued detention should be resolved through a political settlement.

Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja, has reportedly listed several top figures as “compellable witnesses” in his defence.

Among those named are a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Works Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday informed the Federal High Court that he would be representing himself in his ongoing trial after his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from the case.

Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the entire defence team was stepping down, explaining that the defendant had decided to personally take over the conduct of his case.

“All counsel in the defence have agreed to withdraw as the defendant has chosen to represent himself,” Agabi announced before the presiding judge.

Confirming the development in open court, Kanu stated that he had opted to handle his own defence “for now,” though he might reconsider that decision at a later stage. When asked by the judge whether he wanted the court to assign him another lawyer, Kanu declined, insisting he would proceed on his own terms.

In his brief oral argument, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, reiterating his long-standing position on the matter.

Meanwhile, confirming Kanu’s presence in court, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shared an update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, saying he met with the separatist leader in person.

Sowore wrote:

“Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong!”

Thursday’s proceedings mark another dramatic twist in the long-running legal battle between the Nigerian government and Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody facing charges related to treasonable felony and separatist activities.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adopted a medical report by a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which found that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not suffering from any life-threatening ailment.

The NMA panel, constituted by the association’s president on the order of Justice James Omotosho, was tasked with determining Kanu’s actual health condition following conflicting claims from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence.

According to the report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read in open court on Thursday, the panel concluded that Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial.

Justice Omotosho, citing the report and noting no objections from either side, ruled that the trial would proceed.

The judge subsequently granted the defence six consecutive days — from October 23 to October 28 — to open and close its case.

Additionally, the court approved an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed to hold private consultations with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to ensure confidentiality.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the private meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.

The court further ordered that Kanu should continue receiving medical care at the DSS medical facility pending further proceedings.

One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development after Thursday’s sitting.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more