The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has once again granted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), another chance to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial filed against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja division on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, gave Kanu yet another adjournment until November 7 to enter his defence. The court’s decision came after Kanu maintained that there were no valid terrorism charges against him, insisting that he would not defend what he described as an “invalid and repealed” law.
Kanu, a British-Nigerian political activist and separatist leader, is facing a seven-count charge related to terrorism and incitement, brought against him under Nigeria’s Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act. The Federal Government closed its case on June 19, 2025, after presenting five witnesses, but Kanu has repeatedly refused to open his defence, claiming he has “no case to answer.”
On September 26, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission, ruling that a prima facie case had been established and ordering him to enter his defence. However, the IPOB leader again failed to proceed, arguing that his legal team had not handed over critical documents necessary for his case.
During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Kanu once again told the court that the terrorism charges were invalid because they were filed under a repealed law. “The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put up a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that,” he said firmly in court.
Okay News reports that Kanu further argued that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had earlier ordered the Federal Government to amend the charge before any further trial, a directive he claimed was ignored by the prosecution.
Justice Omotosho, in response, reminded Kanu of the importance of presenting his defence but said he was willing to “bend backwards once more” in the interest of justice to allow Kanu another opportunity to reconsider his position.
The judge urged him to consult experienced criminal law practitioners, including his legal consultants — Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara, and Mandela Umegborogu — before the next hearing.
Meanwhile, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, urged the court to enforce its previous directive compelling Kanu to either open his defence or forfeit his right to do so.
Justice Omotosho concluded that the adjournment was granted in the broader interest of justice for both the defendant and the nation, emphasizing that Kanu’s right to fair hearing must be protected despite his persistent defiance.
The case, which has attracted global attention due to Kanu’s long detention and the political implications of the IPOB movement, will resume on November 7, 2025.
