The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled November 20 for the delivery of judgment in the terrorism case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The decision came after Kanu did not present his defence within the six days granted by the court.
Justice James Omotosho emphasised that Kanu had been given a full opportunity under section 36 of the Constitution, and by choosing not to proceed with his defence, and so he had effectively forfeited his right to a fair hearing.
“This court has given opportunity to the defendant, and I will not allow this to continue,” the judge said.
Earlier, Kanu was directed to either open his defence by 5 November or formally waive the right. The court had postponed proceedings from 27 October to 4 November to allow him time to submit a final written address or present witness testimony.
On that day, Kanu, acting as his own counsel, filed a motion with a supporting affidavit rather than the final address, asserting that no valid charge exists against him under current law, and requested immediate release from detention.
Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), challenged the competence of Kanu’s documents, describing them as improperly filed and urging the court to treat them as his final written address and proceed to judgment.
Justice Omotosho confirmed that the documents would be considered during judgment, but said no further extension of the defence period would be granted.
In October 2025, Kanu declined to open his defence, citing the repeal of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act as a reason the charges were invalid. He also withdrew plans to call 23 defence witnesses, including two foreigners.
The court warned that failure to open defence would result in the option being foreclosed.
The prosecution had closed its case after presenting witnesses and evidence, which included broadcasts and materials linking Kanu to alleged acts of disruption. The court overruled his no-case submission before the defence phase was scheduled.
With judgment fixed for 20 November, the court will proceed to deliver a verdict based on the prosecution’s evidence and the documents submitted by Kanu. Both the defence and prosecution are expected to adopt their final written addresses as part of the record before judgment.
Kanu, a British‑Nigerian citizen, was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail. He fled Nigeria in 2017 and was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 before being extradited to Nigeria. The Federal Government charged him with offences including terrorism and broadcasting falsehoods related to his activities with IPOB.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria reinstated terrorism charges that had previously been struck out, allowing the trial to proceed.
