The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has once again confronted the Federal High Court in Abuja, questioning the legitimacy of the terrorism charges brought against him. Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu declared that the charges were filed under a repealed law, insisting that the court lacked jurisdiction to continue with the trial.
Kanu, who represented himself, filed several motions between November 11 and 17, including an application for bail under Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), a motion challenging the validity of Count 7 of the charges, and a request for referral of constitutional issues to the Court of Appeal. He argued that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he was being tried, had already been repealed, rendering the charges void.
In a dramatic courtroom moment, Kanu told the judge, “This trial is built on illegality. You don’t know the law. The charges against me are void, and this court cannot proceed without first addressing the constitutional questions at stake.”
Kanu has been in custody since June 2021 following his controversial rendition from Kenya. He faces seven terrorism-related charges, including incitement and running an unlawful organization, all of which he denies. His latest challenge underscores the ongoing tension between Nigeria’s judiciary and his legal strategy, with observers noting that the outcome could set a precedent for future terrorism-related prosecutions.
The Federal High Court is expected to deliver rulings on Kanu’s motions in the coming weeks, a decision that could significantly shape the trajectory of the case.