The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has initiated a fresh legal maneuver to secure his freedom by approaching the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Kanu has formally requested the appellate court to intervene and prevent Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court from delivering judgment in his ongoing terrorism case scheduled for November 20, 2025.
Legal Battle Takes New Turn
In a significant development filed through his legal team, the separatist leader is seeking an immediate stay of proceedings in his trial before Justice Omotosho. Kanu's application argues that the Federal High Court has persistently refused to address crucial jurisdictional questions raised in the case, thereby compromising his right to a fair defense.
According to court documents obtained by Channels Television, Kanu contends that the trial court has effectively foreclosed his right to defend himself against the serious allegations by declining to rule on his objections. The legal filing emphasizes that despite raising valid jurisdictional concerns, the court has proceeded with the case and set a judgment date without resolving these fundamental issues.
Kanu's Legal Arguments
The IPOB leader expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences if his application is not granted. He warned that he faces the risk of unlawful conviction without being afforded the opportunity to challenge the validity of the charges or the court's jurisdiction to hear the case.
Kanu's legal team articulated that the interest of justice demands that his application be granted, allowing the matter to be properly examined on its merits. The detained leader maintains that proceeding with the judgment without first resolving the jurisdictional questions would constitute a miscarriage of justice and violate his fundamental rights to due process.
Presidential Position on the Case
Meanwhile, the senior special assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Community Engagement for the South-East, Mrs. Chioma Wesley, has commented on the ongoing legal proceedings. She clarified that President Tinubu cannot make any pronouncement regarding Kanu's trial as the executive branch must await the judiciary's final decision.
This position was communicated on Monday, November 10, 2025, emphasizing the administration's commitment to respecting the separation of powers and allowing the legal process to run its course without executive interference.
The case continues to attract significant public attention, with Justice James Omotosho having previously granted Kanu a final opportunity on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, warning that it represented the last chance for the IPOB leader in the ongoing terrorism proceedings initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
