Nnamdi Kanu Appears in Abuja Court for Terrorism Case Judgment

Nnamdi Kanu Appears in Abuja Court for Terrorism Case Judgment

  • Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), appeared at the federal high court in Abuja for judgment in his alleged terrorism case
  • Presiding judge James Omotosho had earlier fixed November 20, 2025, for the verdict after Kanu refused to open his defence
  • The ruling was scheduled to be broadcast live on Channels TV, TVC and AIT, drawing nationwide attention

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), arrived at the federal high court in Abuja for the judgment in his alleged terrorism case.

The court session drew significant attention as the matter had been closely followed across the country.

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu faces terrorism trial verdict broadcast live on Channels TV, TVC and AIT.
Nnamdi Kanu appears at Abuja federal high court for terrorism case judgment. Photo credit: Nnamdi Kanu/X
Source: Twitter

Judge James Omotosho set judgment date

Presiding judge James Omotosho had earlier fixed November 20, 2025, as the judgment day after Kanu refused to open his defence. Reports stated that the defendant had already exhausted all legal options afforded to him before the court.

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The verdict was scheduled to be aired live on Channels TV, TVC and AIT, allowing the public to follow proceedings directly. This decision was seen as a way to ensure transparency in a case that had generated widespread interest.

Defendant insisted conviction would be unlawful

Kanu maintained that convicting him would be unlawful, arguing that there was no charge against him. He was quoted as saying, “convicting him would be unlawful because there is no charge against him.”

This case continued to attract national and international attention, with observers noting its potential impact on Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.

Nnamdi Kanu’s court case

Nnamdi Kanu’s court case has spanned a decade, marked by arrests, bail, disappearance, and re-arrest, making it one of Nigeria’s most prolonged and politically sensitive trials.

Nnamdi Kanu, member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), first entered Nigeria’s legal spotlight in 2015 when he was arrested in Lagos on charges of treasonable felony and terrorism.

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His detention lasted about 18 months before a federal court granted him bail on health grounds. Following his release from Kuje Prison, Kanu’s case took a dramatic turn in 2017 when he disappeared after security forces raided his home in Umuahia, Abia State.

In 2021, Kanu was controversially re-arrested abroad and returned to Nigeria, sparking widespread debate about the legality of his extradition. Since then, he has remained in custody, facing terrorism-related charges, including alleged incitement and running an unlawful organisation.

His legal team consistently challenged the competence of the charges, arguing that some laws underpinning them had been repealed.

Over the years, his trial has been characterised by delays, appeals, and jurisdictional disputes, with the Court of Appeal intervening at several points to expand, suspend, or redirect proceedings. Observers noted that the case tested Nigeria’s justice system, particularly in handling politically sensitive prosecutions.

The saga of Nnamdi Kanu’s legal battles has therefore been defined not only by the charges themselves but also by the political and constitutional questions they raised.

Federal High Court Abuja to deliver ruling in Nnamdi Kanu terrorism case.
Federal High Court Abuja to deliver ruling in Nnamdi Kanu terrorism case. Photo credit: Nnamdi Kanu/X
Source: Twitter

Kanu asks appeal court to stop justice from delivering judgement

Legit.ng earlier reported that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja, to stop Justice Omotosho from delivering judgment on his case on November 20, 2025.

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Kanu asked the appellate court to stay further proceedings in his trial by Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.

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