July 18, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 10, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in his ongoing terrorism trial.
This comes as the Federal Government, on Friday, opposed the submission, arguing that the evidence already presented before the court was sufficient to compel Kanu to open his defence on the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), maintained that Kanu, through several public broadcasts on Radio Biafra, incited violence and called for the disintegration of Nigeria.
Awomolo argued that Kanu’s statements went beyond mere expression of opinion and amounted to a calculated attempt to threaten Nigeria’s unity.
He alleged that the IPOB leader, in his broadcasts, declared his intent to establish the Republic of Biafra and encouraged attacks on security personnel — actions that reportedly led to the deaths of over 170 security officers.
“The defendant made a broadcast in which he proudly declared himself as the IPOB leader, even though the group has been proscribed. He made inciting statements capable of plunging the country into fear and chaos,” the prosecution stated.
However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and dismiss the charges, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case.
Agabi noted that all five prosecution witnesses were operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who merely testified about obtaining statements from the defendant.
He argued that no investigative report linking Kanu directly to acts of terrorism was tendered in court, and that no witness testified to being incited or harmed by his client’s alleged broadcasts.
He also pointed out that despite the prosecution amending the charges eight times, no direct victim was presented, insisting that Kanu’s statements were a call for self-defence in the face of killings in the South-East and not an incitement to violence.
Agabi further decried his client’s prolonged solitary confinement, which he said violates international human rights standards.
After listening to both parties, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 10, 2025, for ruling on the no-case submission.
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