The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20, 2025, for judgment in the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division announced the date on Friday after Kanu failed to open his defence despite being given six days by the court to do so.
The judge ruled that since Kanu had exhausted the period allocated to him without presenting any defence, he could no longer claim to have been denied his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
“The defendant was given ample opportunity to conduct his defence but failed to take advantage of it. Having refused to utilise the time granted, he cannot now allege denial of fair hearing,” Justice Omotosho held.
Background of the Case
Nnamdi Kanu, the self-styled leader of IPOB, has been facing terrorism-related charges since 2015, when he was first arrested and arraigned by the Federal Government on allegations bordering on treasonable felony, unlawful possession of arms, and incitement of violence in the South-East region.
He was granted bail in 2017, but fled the country after a military operation at his residence in Abia State. Kanu was later re-arrested in 2021 through a controversial international operation and brought back to Nigeria to face trial.
Since then, his legal battle has gone through multiple stages , including appeals before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, with issues ranging from extraordinary rendition, jurisdiction, and violation of his fundamental rights.
In recent months, the case returned to the Federal High Court, where the trial judge ordered Kanu to open his defence after the prosecution, led by the Federal Government’s legal team, closed its case.
However, Kanu reportedly refused to proceed, insisting that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him and demanding to be released unconditionally.
With the court now setting November 20 for judgment, the long-running case that has shaped Nigeria’s legal and political discourse over the past decade may finally be drawing to a decisive stage.
