By Ayomide Otitoju
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to halt further proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to court documents filed by Kanu’s legal team, the appeal seeks to stop Justice Omotosho from delivering judgment on November 20, 2025, pending the determination of Kanu’s appeal challenging the high court’s handling of the case.
Kanu argued that the trial court failed to rule on key jurisdictional objections raised before it and neglected to assess the credibility of prosecution witnesses in light of their cross-examination. He also faulted the court’s ruling on his no-case submission, its refusal to determine the validity of the charges against him, and its decision to foreclose his right to present witnesses in his defence.
“The trial court, while refusing to rule on the objection, foreclosed the right to defend the heinous allegations levelled against me. The trial court has adjourned the matter for judgment on the 20th of November, 2025,” Kanu stated in his application.
He warned that if the appeal court fails to intervene, he might be “unlawfully convicted without knowing the validity of the counts or the jurisdiction of the trial court.” Kanu added that further proceedings would undermine his right of appeal and render any future appellate decision “a fait accompli.”
Kanu further argued that granting his application would not prejudice either party, noting that the case has dragged on since 2015 and only resumed before the current court in 2025.
Justice Omotosho had fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism-related case after Kanu failed to open his defence within the six days allocated by the court. The judge maintained that the IPOB leader was not denied his constitutional right to a fair hearing, having been given ample opportunity to defend himself.
