The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to suspend judgment in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Kanu’s latest appeal was filed in reaction to the court’s earlier decision foreclosing his defence and fixing November 20, 2025, for final judgment.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had ruled last Friday that the IPOB leader’s right to defence was foreclosed after Kanu refused to open his case, insisting that he could not be tried under what he described as a repealed law.
In the motion filed through his legal team, Kanu urged the court to halt further proceedings in the interest of justice, arguing that the decision to proceed with judgment despite unresolved constitutional issues could undermine his right to a fair trial.
The IPOB leader’s lawyers maintained that the ruling foreclosing his defence was premature and inconsistent with due process, noting that his earlier objection to the charges remained pending before higher courts.
They contended that the Federal Government’s application of terrorism charges under a legal framework that, according to them, “no longer exists in Nigeria’s current criminal jurisprudence,” violated Kanu’s constitutional rights.
The development marks yet another twist in a case that has spanned several years, drawing both domestic and international attention due to its political and human rights implications.
Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, continues to face charges related to treasonable felony and terrorism filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Supporters of the separatist leader argue that his detention violates multiple court rulings, including a 2022 judgment by the Court of Appeal, which ordered his release and declared his extraordinary rendition illegal.
However, the Federal Government has maintained that Kanu must face trial for allegedly inciting violence and endangering national security through his leadership of the proscribed IPOB movement.
Legal experts told Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) that the motion to halt judgment could trigger another round of appeals and procedural reviews, potentially prolonging the already contentious case.
They also noted that the outcome of this latest application could set a significant precedent on how Nigerian courts handle cases involving alleged constitutional breaches and jurisdictional disputes.
Meanwhile, IPOB’s spokesperson reaffirmed the group’s commitment to peaceful legal redress, urging supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the court’s decision.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to consider Kanu’s application before proceeding with the scheduled judgment date of November 20, 2025.
If the court grants his request, the ruling could further delay what many observers have described as one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive trials in recent history.