Nnamdi Kanu: Court Finally Announces Date to Deliver Judgment in IPOB Leader's Terrorism Case

• The Federal High Court fixed a date for the final judgment in Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial in Abuja
• Nnamdi Kanu filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction and competence to charge
• Justice Omotosho announced adjournment after Kanu failed to open his defence

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 20 November for the final judgement in the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Friday, November 7, after Kanu failed to open his defence within the six days earlier allotted to him by the court.

“The matter has been adjourned for judgement on the 20th of November,” Justice Omotosho stated briefly after proceedings resumed in court.

Kanu challenges court’s jurisdiction

Instead of proceeding with his defence, Kanu filed a fresh motion challenging both the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court to try him, Vanguard reported.

In his submission, the IPOB leader, who is representing himself after disengaging his lawyers, insisted that the law used in his prosecution no longer exists.

“My prosecution is founded on a repealed law,” Kanu argued.

He referred to the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, which he said had been repealed.

Court proceedings delayed

Earlier in the day, the court had stood down the case for an hour after Kanu requested more time to file his defence. Upon resumption, however, he presented the motion contesting the legality of the proceedings instead, Channels Television reported.

The development followed months of legal tussle over the charges, which accuse Kanu of terrorism-related offences linked to his activities with the proscribed IPOB movement.

Background of the case

Kanu has been in detention since his re-arrest in 2021, following his extradition to Nigeria. His legal team has repeatedly maintained that the charges are politically motivated and lack legal merit.

The 20 November ruling is expected to mark a major turning point in the long-running legal battle between the federal government and the separatist leader.

Clash in NASS over Nnamdi Kanu's health

Legit.ng earlier reported that the House of Representatives had seen a heated debate about the health condition of the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Obinna Aguocha, the lawmaker representing the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia, clashed with the speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.

Aguocha said he had written letters to President Bola Tinubu, the speaker and the attorney general of the federation about Kanu's health.

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