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…

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered security operatives to forcibly remove detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the courtroom after the proceedings were repeatedly disrupted.

The dramatic scene unfolded moments after Kanu insisted that the court could not proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu, who raised his voice several times, demanded that the judge show him the section of the law that barred him from submitting a final written address. His outbursts halted the proceedings, prompting Justice Omotosho to stand down the matter while security agents escorted him out.

Before the disruption, Justice Omotosho had dismissed fresh applications filed by Kanu despite the case already being scheduled for judgment. According to the judge, the motions merely rehashed arguments previously raised and resolved in earlier rulings.

The court also rejected Kanu’s request to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal, citing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which prohibits the stay of proceedings in criminal trials.

Additionally, Kanu’s bid for bail was turned down. Justice Omotosho, however, noted that some of the issues raised by the IPOB leader would be addressed during the final judgment.

The court has now commenced reading the judgment in the high-profile case.

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.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

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