ABUJA — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday intensified efforts to stop the Federal High Court in Abuja from delivering judgment in the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The court had earlier fixed November 7 for judgment, but the proceedings took a new turn after Kanu filed fresh applications challenging the legality of the entire trial.
When the matter was called before Justice James Omotosho, the judge noted that Kanu had, shortly after the adjournment, filed a series of motions raising substantial issues that required consideration. Following identification of all applications, the court consolidated them and granted Kanu the opportunity to argue his points despite representing himself.
In his first motion, filed on November 12, Kanu asked the court to refer what he described as “substantial constitutional and legal issues” arising from the trial to the Court of Appeal. He argued that these issues must be addressed by the appellate court before any judgment could be delivered in the terrorism case.
Kanu also prayed for an order staying further proceedings pending the determination of the referred issues at the Court of Appeal, insisting that allowing the judgment to proceed would amount to a miscarriage of justice.
Central to his argument was the claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction “ab initio” to entertain the case. He maintained that one of the key counts—particularly count seven—was anchored on a law that the Supreme Court had already declared non-existent.
He insisted that continuing with the matter amounted to trying him on an offense unknown to Nigerian law.
Kanu further contended that the evidence tendered by the prosecution was “sufficiently demolished” during trial and should not sustain any conviction. He accused the court of denying him fair hearing, especially by waiving his right to file a final written address before scheduling the matter for judgment.
In another motion, the IPOB leader sought bail on liberal terms pending the determination of the case, declaring that his continued detention violated constitutional provisions on personal liberty.
Kanu argued that his health, safety, and fundamental rights were being compromised due to prolonged incarceration.
However, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss all the motions, describing them as deliberate attempts to delay justice.
He argued that the defense had ample time to file applications during the trial but waited until the judgment date approached.
Awomolo maintained that the prosecution had presented credible evidence and that the court should proceed with delivering its reserved judgment without being swayed by what he termed “frivolous and time-wasting tactics.”
Justice Omotosho reserved ruling on the motions, stating that the court would communicate the next steps after carefully considering the legal arguments presented by both sides. The development has further heightened public interest in the high-profile case that continues to generate national and international attention.
