In a landmark ruling today, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and ordered him to open his defence in the ongoing trial.
Justice Binta Nyako, who presided over the case, ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Kanu, warranting a full trial. The court held that the evidence presented by the Federal Government was sufficient to require the defendant to respond to the charges, which include terrorism, incitement, and unlawful broadcasting.
“The defendant has questions to answer,” Justice Nyako stated. “The court finds that the prosecution has made a case strong enough for the defence to be called.”
Kanu’s legal team had argued that the charges were politically motivated and lacked merit, urging the court to dismiss the case outright. However, the judge maintained that the trial must proceed in accordance with due process and the rule of law.
The ruling has sparked renewed attention on the high-profile case, which has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. Supporters of Kanu have continued to call for his release, while government officials insist that the matter must be resolved through legal channels.