Abuja, 18 July 2025 – The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, recommences today at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho. The hearing is set to focus on the adoption of written submissions following the closure of the federal government’s case against Kanu, with the defence having filed a no-case submission within the stipulated 14-day period.
During Kanu’s last court appearance on 18 June 2025, the Federal High Court adjourned the trial to 19 and 20 June for further hearing. The session addressed ongoing legal proceedings related to the seven-count terrorism charges against Kanu, who has been held in solitary confinement at the Department of State Services, DSS, headquarters since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021.
A notable development from a related hearing on 29 May 2025 was Justice Omotosho’s ruling in Kanu’s favour in a trial-within-trial. The court found that Kanu was held in solitary confinement, received limited provisions – one bottle of water and one minute of fresh air daily, and that video interviews conducted in DSS custody were made under duress. This ruling highlighted concerns about Kanu’s treatment during detention.
The case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho after Justice Binta Nyako recused herself on 24 September 2024, following allegations of bias by Kanu and his legal team. The reassignment, communicated by Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho on 4 March 2025, marked a new phase in the trial, with Kanu pleading not guilty to the charges during his 21 March 2025 appearance.
Today’s hearing is expected to be crucial, with the court addressing the defence’s no-case submission. Justice Omotosho has imposed strict attendance restrictions, permitting only ten individuals from the defence inside the courtroom, including eight senior lawyers—Kanu G. Agabi, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba, Mela Audu Nunghe, Dr Joseph Akubo, Uchenna Njoku, and Aloy Ejimakor—along with Hon. Obi Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives, and Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu.
The focus will be on the legal arguments surrounding the no-case submission, which could determine whether the trial proceeds further or is dismissed. Kanu’s decision to represent himself, as announced earlier this year, reflects ongoing distrust in the judicial process, with his family emphasising that the case is under global scrutiny for fairness.
The outcome of today’s hearing could have far-reaching implications for Kanu’s legal battle and the broader discourse surrounding IPOB and its activities.
As the trial resumes, attention is focused on Justice Omotosho to ensure a fair and transparent process. The restrictions on courtroom attendance and the emphasis on the no-case submission underscore the sensitivity of the case. With Kanu’s prolonged detention and the controversies surrounding his treatment, today’s proceedings are expected to be a defining moment in this high-profile legal matter.
