A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has shifted its ruling on the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to October 10, 2025.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the lead counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), called on Justice James Omotosho to reject the application filed by Kanu, stressing that the IPOB leader must respond to the seven-count terrorism charges pending against him.
Awomolo told the court that Kanu had used a Biafra Radio broadcast to call for the disintegration of Nigeria and the formation of a Biafran state. He maintained that this declaration was not just an opinion but a serious threat to national unity and security.
He further argued that the speech incited violence, with Kanu allegedly instructing his supporters to kill Nigerian police officers and their families. According to the prosecution, this incitement led to the deaths of more than 170 security operatives across the country.
“The defendant made public statements while openly identifying himself as the leader of IPOB, a group already outlawed by Nigerian authorities. He declared that the world would come to a halt, showing his intent to destabilise the country,” Awomolo stated.
He added that Nigerian law forbids threats or remarks capable of instilling widespread fear among the populace. Awomolo asserted that Kanu’s actions were not just provocative but had real-world implications and consequences aimed at forcefully establishing a Biafran republic.
Consequently, he urged the court to reject the no-case submission and mandate Kanu to open his defence, arguing that the request lacked legal merit and failed to address the gravity of the allegations.
However, Kanu’s defence team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), countered these arguments, urging the court to dismiss the charges entirely and free their client.
Agabi told the court that the prosecution did not produce a single witness who had been influenced or incited by Kanu’s alleged broadcast. Instead, all five witnesses were officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), who simply took statements from Kanu.
The senior lawyer stressed that no independent investigation was conducted to verify the content or impact of the broadcast. He also argued that, despite the prosecution amending the charges against Kanu eight times, no evidence was presented to prove he incited violence.
He explained that Kanu’s statements urging people to defend themselves were taken out of context, adding that such declarations were within the constitutional right of self-defence.
Agabi pointed out that Kanu’s remark about “bringing the world to a standstill” was hyperbolic and lacked the substance to be treated as incitement or grounds for a terrorism charge.
He further referenced similar calls by respected Nigerian figures, including former Defence Minister General T.Y. Danjuma, who also encouraged citizens to defend themselves amidst widespread insecurity.
Agabi also condemned the conditions under which Kanu has been held, claiming he has endured prolonged solitary confinement in violation of international standards, which restrict such confinement to no more than 15 days.
According to him, the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to sustain the terrorism charges, and therefore, no valid case had been established requiring Kanu to enter a defence.
Following the presentation of arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho announced that ruling on the no-case submission would be delivered on October 10.
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