By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to halt further proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
Kanu, who is facing a seven-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, filed a motion on notice dated November 10 and filed on November 12, personally signing the document.
He prayed the appellate court for an order staying proceedings in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 ,Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Nnamdi Kanu, pending the determination of his appeal.
Our correspondent reports that the motion came after Justice Omotosho fixed November 20 for judgment, having foreclosed Kanu’s defence when he refused to open his case, insisting he would not be tried under what he described as “repealed laws.”
In his nine-ground appeal, Kanu contended that the trial court failed to rule on crucial jurisdictional issues he raised and declined to determine the validity of the counts against him before proceeding to judgment.
He also argued that despite filing a list of defence witnesses, the trial court foreclosed his right to present them, insisting that objections would only be addressed during judgment.
“The trial court has adjourned the matter for judgment on November 20, 2025. If this application is not granted, the appellant may be unlawfully convicted without being afforded the opportunity to challenge the validity of the counts or the court’s jurisdiction,” Kanu stated.
He maintained that granting the stay would not prejudice either party since the case had lingered since 2015 and was only reassigned to Justice Omotosho earlier this year.
Kanu, who now represents himself after disengaging his legal team, has repeatedly questioned the validity of the charges, arguing that they were brought under laws that had been repealed, specifically, the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 LFN 2004.
He also alleged a conspiracy involving British authorities to secure his conviction, a claim Justice Omotosho dismissed, clarifying that he had no connection with any such influence and was not the judge handling Kanu’s earlier proceedings.
In an earlier ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu had exhausted the six days allocated to him to present his defence and, by refusing to do so, had waived his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
“The court has given the defendant ample opportunity under Section 36 of the Constitution.
He has waived his right,” the judge ruled, before adjourning the matter to November 20 for judgment.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
