The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to May 14, 21, and 22, 2025.
The adjournment came following continued cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and the ongoing presentation of evidence against the pro-Biafra agitator.
Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over the matter, approved the new dates during the latest hearing held on May 7, 2025.
The prosecution team, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, argued that more time was needed to conclude witness testimonies.
According to the prosecution, the evidence being presented is critical to the case and must be properly cross-examined to ensure a thorough process.
The court agreed and scheduled three further hearing dates later in May to allow the case to proceed in phases.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), was brought to court under heavy security presence.
His legal team expressed frustration with the repeated delays and emphasized the need for a speedy trial in accordance with his fundamental rights.
However, the judge insisted that the judicial process must follow its course and that the interests of justice outweigh any concerns about delay.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Kanu’s trial has become one of the most closely followed legal proceedings in Nigeria.
The IPOB leader faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement through controversial broadcasts aimed at disrupting Nigeria’s unity.
Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 but fled the country in 2017 after being granted bail.
In 2021, he was re kidnapped in Kenya by Nigerian government under disputed circumstances and extradited back to Nigeria, a move that drew global criticism.
Since then, he has remained in solitary detention at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, with his legal team raising repeated concerns about access to him.
His supporters, particularly in the Southeast, continue to mount pressure on the government through campaigns under the hashtag #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu.
They argue that Kanu is a freedom fighter and that his continued incarceration is a form of political persecution and regional suppression.
The Federal Government has maintained that the trial is purely legal and based on national security concerns, not ethnic or political bias.
As the trial resumes on May 14, 2025, eyes across Nigeria and the international community will remain fixed on the outcome.
Many observers believe the case could define how Nigeria handles separatist movements and civil liberties going forward.
The outcome may also influence the relationship between the Federal Government and the Southeast geopolitical zone.
Supporters, critics, and neutrals alike await what the next courtroom sessions will reveal in the highly sensitive and controversial matter.