The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday took center stage in his own defence as he urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to halt its planned judgement and transfer his case to the Court of Appeal.
The court had previously fixed November 7 for judgement on the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government. But when the matter was called, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, noted that Kanu had filed multiple motions shortly after the last adjournment.
Representing himself, Kanu identified each motion before the court, all of which were subsequently consolidated for hearing. In his primary application filed on November 12, he asked the judge to refer what he described as “substantial issues arising from the trial” to the Court of Appeal for interpretation.
He also requested a stay of proceedings pending the appellate court’s consideration of the issues raised.
Kanu argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction from the onset, insisting the charges were rooted in a “non-existing law.” He pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously indicated that the offence alleged in count seven of the charge was not recognised under Nigerian law.
Beyond questioning the validity of the charges, the IPOB leader contended that the prosecution’s evidence had been “sufficiently demolished” during the trial. He also alleged that he was denied fair hearing when the court waived his right to file a written address—an action he said was improper before a judgement could be scheduled.
In a separate motion, Kanu—still acting as his own counsel—asked the court to grant him bail “on liberal terms,” maintaining that his continued detention violated his constitutional rights.
Countering the applications, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss all motions and proceed to deliver its reserved judgement.
The court is expected to announce its next steps after reviewing the arguments presented.
