Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been convicted on terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian government. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

Kanu, who had previously resisted the court proceedings and refused to participate in his defence, was found guilty on all counts. According to Justice Omotosho, the court had no choice but to rely on the evidence presented by the prosecution after Kanu declined to engage in his defence.

“As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, I begged Kanu passionately to enter his defence, but he obstinately refused,” Justice Omotosho said.

Key Convictions

• Terrorism through broadcasts: Kanu was found guilty of inciting violence through broadcasts linked to IPOB activities.
• International terrorism: The court ruled that Kanu qualifies as an international terrorist.
• Sit-at-home orders in South-East Nigeria: He was convicted for enforcing sit-at-home directives that disrupted businesses and daily life across the South-East states.
• Murder of Ahmed Gulak: The court linked Kanu and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to the murder of the former politician in Imo State.
• Leadership of a proscribed organisation: Kanu was also convicted for leading IPOB, which is officially listed as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that Kanu’s refusal to enter a defence left the court with no alternative but to act on the incontrovertible evidence presented by the prosecution.

The court’s ruling marks a major development in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and separatist agitation in the South-East.

More updates to follow…

The Federal High Court in Abuja will Today Thursday, November 20, deliver judgment in the terrorism case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), marking a decisive moment in a long-running legal battle that has sharply divided opinion across Nigeria.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after ruling that Kanu had exhausted the six days allocated to him to open his defence. The judge noted that despite being given ample opportunity, Kanu declined to present a conventional defence to the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government.

The charges against Kanu relate largely to his broadcasts and activities as IPOB leader, which authorities say posed a threat to national security. Prosecutors insist his statements incited violence and undermined the sovereignty of Nigeria.

The case reached a turning point on June 19, 2025, when the prosecution closed its case after calling witnesses and tendering documentary evidence. Kanu subsequently filed a no-case submission, arguing that the government had failed to establish any offence against him. The court, however, dismissed the submission and ordered him to open his defence.

Rather than defend himself on the merits, Kanu has focused on contesting the legality and jurisdiction of the trial. He maintains that he cannot be tried under what he describes as an “invalid” or “repealed” terrorism law, insisting that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act relied upon by prosecutors is no longer operational.

He has also asked the court to expunge his earlier “not guilty” plea, claiming it was entered under conditions that violated his rights. In recent filings, Kanu alleged a broader conspiracy involving both local and foreign actors who, he claims, are determined to secure his conviction.

In a last-minute move, the IPOB leader filed a motion at the Court of Appeal seeking to stop the High Court from delivering its judgment, on the grounds that his appeal against the dismissal of his no-case submission is still pending. Justice Omotosho, however, dismissed concerns about fairness and insisted that Kanu had been granted sufficient time but chose not to utilise it.

At the last adjourned sitting, the judge also waived the requirement for final written addresses, stating that the court would rely solely on arguments and materials already in the record.

Meanwhile A coalition of 44 serving members of the House of Representatives has written to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to exercise his constitutional authority to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and initiate a broad political dialogue to address the security and socio-political challenges in the South-east.

The lawmakers, drawn from various political parties and representing constituencies across both the North and South, issued a two-page letter and resolution under the platform of “Concerned Federal Lawmakers.”

As the nation watches closely, Today’s decision will determine whether the IPOB leader regains his freedom or faces a fresh prison sentence that could keep him behind bars for years to come.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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