Mr. Kanu, who was found guilty of terrorism at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been undergoing legal proceedings since 2015, when he wa...
Mr. Kanu, who was found guilty of terrorism at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been undergoing legal proceedings since 2015, when he was initially detained by Nigerian authorities.
The decade-long judicial process against Nnamdi Kanu, head of the banned organizationIndigenous People of BiafraThe IPOB movement concluded on Thursday following the Federal High Court in Abuja's conviction and subsequent sentencing of him to a life term.
The trial judge, James Omotosho, announced the verdict in Abuja following his conviction on all seven charges brought by the Nigerian government.
Mr. Omotosho also issued instructions that he should be restricted from using mobile devices and broadcasting equipment unless supervised by security personnel.
Aloy Ejimakor, the ex-special counsel for Mr. Kanu, informed journalists following the verdict that the IPOB leader intends to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Dismissal of preliminary objection
Mr. Omotosho, prior to the ruling, had rejected Mr. Kanu's argument that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria ultimately made his trial invalid.
He argued that even if the extraordinary rendition from Kenya may have breached Mr. Kanu's basic human rights, it did not affect the validity of his trial for the offenses he committed or the court's authority, referencing comparable cases in the United States.
Mr. Omotosho also rejected Mr. Kanu's claim that he should be released since the law under which he was being prosecuted had already been abolished and no longer in effect.
The judge stated that the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, which was used to file the charges, remained in effect when Mr. Kanu committed the terrorism offenses between 2018 and 2021. He referenced Section 98 of the Act, which allows for the ongoing trial and conviction of a defendant who was charged under the law prior to its repeal.
The 2013 Terrorism Prevention Act underwent changes in 2022, seven years following the initial terrorism charges against the IPOB leader.
Commotion before the judgement
Prior to the ruling, Mr. Kanu had brought to the court's attention the three distinct motions he had previously filed, requesting, among other things, a suspension of additional proceedings in his trial until the matters he raised were resolved.
The leader of IPOB, in the motions, requested Mr. Omotosho to halt the ruling, contending that the case was handled under a law that had been repealed and no longer existed.
Out of the seven charges brought against Mr. Kanu, six were filed under the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2013, which underwent revisions in 2022.
The individual advocating for Biafra asserted that the seventh charge, related to the alleged unauthorized importation of a radio transmitter into Nigeria, was directed by the Supreme Court to be dismissed.
The leader of IPOB also requested a stop to the judgment, arguing that the court did not have the authority to prosecute Mr. Kanu and failed to allow the IPOB leader to submit a concluding written statement in his defense.
He also requested the court to send his case to the Court of Appeal for resolution of the issues he presented in the motions on notice.
In reply, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing the Nigerian government, requested the judge to reject the applications due to insufficient grounds.
Mr. Omotosho, in his decision on the motions, stated that the period for defense had ended and that Mr. Kanu's motions had already been resolved.
The judge emphasized that Section 306 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act 2015 prohibits the suspension of legal proceedings in a criminal context.
"Today is about judgment, not listening," he stated, then went on to announce his verdict.
However, Mr. Kanu disagreed and claimed the judge did not present the law under which he was being prosecuted.
"My Lord, there will be no judgment today as we have combined our efforts regarding this matter," Mr. Kanu stated.
However, the judge, amidst the chaos, instructed members of the State Security Service (SSS) to remove him from the courtroom and subsequently announced a break.
"You're biased. You aren't familiar with the law. This isn't legal," the IPOB leader shouted at the judge as he was taken out of the courtroom by SSS officers.
He kept expressing his anger towards the court's determination to issue a verdict even after submitting appeals against it.
After the court reconvened approximately five minutes later, Mr. Omotosho directed that the verdict be announced without Mr. Kanu present due to his "disruptive conduct."
The judge stated that while it is the defendants' right to be present during their trial, Mr. Kanu's disruptive conduct forced the court to send him out so the proceedings could continue.
Mr. Omotosho eventually sentenced Mr. Kanu to life in prison after convicting him on all seven charges brought against him.
PREMIUM TIMES reports on Mr Kanu's path from being an activist and advocate for Biafra to facing legal consequences.
Timeline of Nnamdi Kanu's path
2009: Mr. Kanu establishes Radio Biafra, which promotes the ideology of the former seceded state, Biafra, and disseminates inflammatory messages and propaganda.
2012: He founded IPOB with the objective of advocating for the separation of the South-east and certain areas of the South-south from Nigeria to create an independent state known as Biafra.
July 2015: The government of NigeriajammedThe Radio Biafra broadcast, hindering numerous listeners in Nigeria from accessing it.
In October 2015, Mr. Kanu was taken into custody and faced charges including treasonable felony, illegal possession of weapons, and unauthorized importation of broadcasting equipment at a Federal High Court in Abuja. Initially, he was charged with 11 counts.
In October 2015, Mr. Kanu and his co-defendants rejected the accusations.
December 2015: Court orderedthe launch of Mr. Kanu but the federal administration did not adhere.
In December 2015, the federal government introduced four additional charges against Mr. Kanu, and in 2016, three courts decided that he should remain in Kuje prison, citing risks to national security.
May 2016: Mr Kanu heads to ECOWAS courtaccusing the former President Muhammadu Buhari of refusing bail.
March 1, 2017: Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abujastruck out sixRegarding the 15 charges brought against Mr. Kanu, the judge determined that the six counts—3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11—did not form a sufficient basis for a case against the defendants.
April 2017: The Federal High Court located in AbujagrantedMr. Kanu was released on 'health reasons.'
April 2017: Mr Kanu was once again a free man after beingdetained for 18 months.
In September 2017, Mr. Kanu was last observed following an assault on his residence by military personnel.
September 2017: The attorney for Mr. Kanu mentioned that he has not been in contact with his client since September 14, when soldiers "entered" his residence in Abia State.
October 2017: When the court reconvened for the treason trial of Mr. Kanu, he was absent. It was subsequently verified that he had left the country.
In December 2020, Mr. Kanu unveils the establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) as the armed military arm of the IPOB.
June 2021: Mr. Kanu wasbrought backto Nigeria to proceed with his trial.
June 2021: Court orderedhis detention in SSS custody until 26 July.
July 15, 2021: Mr. Kanuspeaks from detention, shows how he was taken into custody in Kenya.
26 July 2021: Court adjournedthe matter until 21 October.
July 26, 2021: Mr. Kanuseeks transferFrom the care of SSS to jail.
On 9 August 2021, IPOB announced that every Monday would be a stay-at-home directive in the South-east to demonstrate against the ongoing imprisonment of Mr. Kanu at the SSS center.
August 2021: IPOB halts the sit-at-home directive due to public backlash. However, the unlawful order persisted as it was carried out by armed individuals, despite being renounced by IPOB.
November 2021: The legal team of Mr. Kanuwalks outon Judge Binta Nyako regarding the SSS' decision to prevent Bruce Fein, an American attorney collaborating with the team, from entering the courtroom.
April 8, 2022: Judge Nyakostruck out eightOf the 15 charges brought against Mr. Kanu, the court determined that Counts 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 were invalid due to the failure to present any legitimate offenses against the defendant.
13th of October 2022: Court of Appeal located in Abujadischarged and acquittedMr. Kanu was released from detention immediately, dismissing all the charges against him.
October 2022: The national administrationappealedThe court decision and later secured a Supreme Court order halting the enforcement of the appellate court's ruling.
December 15, 2023: The Highest CourtreversedThe verdict of not guilty was issued, and the proceedings against Mr. Kanu were directed to continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the seven-count indictment.
February 2025: Nnamdi Kanu asksBinta Nyako is stepping back from the case due to claims of partiality.
March 2025: The trial is presided over by a new judge, James Omotosho, following Mrs. Nyako's departure from the case.
22 May 2025: The court establishes firm deadlines (from May to June) for the federal government to conclude its case against Mr. Kanu, which the government finalized on 19 June when the5th prosecution witness was led in evidence.
September 2025: Mr. Kanu submitted a no-case argument, which was rejected on September 26.
26th September 2025: The courtroomorderedThe Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will establish a panel of medical professionals to evaluate the health condition and legal readiness of IPOB leader 's health status and fitness to stand trial. This follows Mr. Kanu's request, via his attorneys, for a transfer to the National Hospital for medical care.following a medical assessmentby a medical professor
October 16, 2025: NMA committeedeclaredMr. Kanu is eligible to face trial.
23rd of October 2025: Mr. Kanusackshis legal team and promises to defend himself.
24 October 2025: The court postpones the trial until 27 October after Mr. Kanu states that his previous attorneys failed to provide him with his case documents.
27 October 2025: Mr. Kanu declines to present a defense, asserting that heexamined the prosecution's evidence and concluded "no legitimate accusation"against him. The judge required him to submit a written statement regarding his stance.
October 30, 2025: Mr. Kanufiles a fresh motionasking for his release. In the motion, he repeated the arguments he previously presented during the proceedings on 27 October when hetold the judgethat he had no basis for submitting a defense in his case since there was no legitimate accusation against him.
4 November 2025: The judge, James Omotosho,givesMr. Kanu's last opportunity to present his defense on November 5, or face being considered as having given up his right to do so.
5 November 2025: The court additionally provided Mr. Kanua new opportunity to present his argument. Mr. Omotosho once more advises him to seek guidance from criminal law specialists. The IPOB leader has been given until November 7, 2025, to present his defense or relinquish his rights.
7 November 2025: Mr Kanu once more declines to present his defense, asserting that there was no legitimate accusation against him. The judge thenruledthat Mr. Kanu had given up his right to present his defence.
The court subsequently set 20 November 2025 as the date for delivering its verdict on the terrorism charges. On that same day, Mr. Kanu submitted a request to the court to "remove" his original not-guilty plea from the records, arguing that it was secured through deceptive means, thereby breaching section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
He also requested the court to cancel all previous court orders and proceedings, and additionally sought his immediate release, claiming that he was being prosecuted under "a law that does not exist." However, the judge stated that all his motions would be addressed on the day of the verdict.
10 November: Mr Kanu filed separate applicationsrequesting both the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Appeal Court to halt any additional actions related to the terrorism charges he faces at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On 20 November 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Mr Kanu to conviction on terrorism-related charges following his acquittal on all seven counts that had been brought against him.
Justice Omotosho then sentencedThe leader of IPOB sentenced to life in prison.
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