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was foreclosed after Kanu refused to open his case, insisting that he could not be tried under what he described as a repealed law.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.

Details of the full list of the charges lodged against the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government, have been made available to the general public.

Though, this is coming after Nnamdi Kanu during his court appearance on Wednesday, insisted that he has no case to answer, citing lack of valid charges.

Diaspora Digital Media reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja last week, had given Kanu a final chance to defend himself in his ongoing terrorism trial.

Moreover, following Kanu’s persistent refusal to open his defense, the presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, today ruled that Kanu must enter his defence or risk being foreclosed.

Justice Omotosho said it was his duty as a judge in the case to accord the defendant sufficient opportunity to put in his defence.

The judge spoke while delivering judgment on an application by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, that the court should foreclose Kanu, who failed to enter his defence having spent five out of the six days the court granted him to conduct his defence.

Awomolo had noted that the court had on Tuesday, adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter a defence in his trial or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.

He further noted that at the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Kanu still declined to open his defence as ordered by the court.

Awomolo urged the court to take note of the defendant’s position that he would not enter any defence because there is no valid charge against him.

He then prayed the court to foreclose the defendant and adjourn for judgment.

Earlier, Kanu, who represented himself, addressed the court from the dock.

He reiterated his position that there is no valid charge against him to warrant his being called to enter a defence.

However, below is the breakdown of the charges filed against Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government.

Count one: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State being the leader of the Indigenous People of Bialra (IPOB) on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, preparations made by you and others now at large for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count two: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area ot Abia State, on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Count Three: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household which you declared as used household items and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act ,Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count four: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult. of Afaraukwu iIbeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State in London, United Kingdom between 2018 and 2021 Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and FCT, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, professed to be a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Count five: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 22th of April, 2021 in London, United Kingdom on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act of terrorism in that you incite the other members (followers) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB}, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria, to look for security personnel, their family members through a Radio Biafra on 102.1FM monitored through the IPOB Community Radio and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.

Count six: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia Stale on the 16thh of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that “In 2 weeks’ time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still, mark my word” and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Count seven: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 31st of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by issuing a deadly threat that anyone who flouted your sit-at-home order should “write his/her will,” as a result banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses and vehicular movements grounded and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that his defence may be foreclosed if he fails to open his case at the next hearing.

Justice James Omotosho issued the caution on Tuesday, following Kanu’s continued refusal to begin his defence after the prosecution closed its case and his no-case submission was dismissed.

Kanu, representing himself after dismissing his legal team, reiterated during the session that he would not enter a defence, insisting there were no valid charges against him under Nigerian law.

He said: “There is no valid charge pending against me. I should not be in detention, and I demand to be released immediately.”

Instead of filing a final written address as ordered, Kanu submitted a motion and affidavit challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), objected to Kanu’s stance, accusing him of deliberately stalling proceedings.

Awomolo urged the court to treat the motion as Kanu’s final written address and proceed to judgment.

However, Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s filings were valid and would be considered at the appropriate time.

The judge emphasized that Kanu, not being a lawyer, should be given the opportunity to seek legal advice before proceeding.

The court adjourned the case to November 5, 2025, warning that failure to open his defence at the next hearing would result in the forfeiture of his right to do so.