The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the Court of Appeal in Abuja to suspend further proceedings in his trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho
Court documents filed by Kanu indicate that he is seeking an order to stop Justice Omotosho from delivering judgment on November 20, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal against the high court’s decisions in the case, Channels reports.
Kanu argued that, despite raising jurisdictional questions before the Federal High Court, the trial court refused to rule on them.
He further contended that the court neglected to evaluate the prosecution’s evidence against cross-examination questions, which he claimed discredited some testimonies.
He faulted the trial court’s handling of the no-case submission, its refusal to determine jurisdiction, the validity of the charges against him, and the court’s preventing him from presenting witnesses in his defence.
Kanu explained that, although he had filed a list of defence witnesses, the court declined to allow them to testify, stating that decisions on objections would only be addressed during judgment.
“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.
He warned that failure to grant his application could result in an unlawful conviction, depriving him of the opportunity to challenge the validity of the charges, contest the court’s jurisdiction, and present a defence on the merits.
“Further proceedings on the matter will stultify the appellant’s right of appeal and any appellate decision [become] fait accompli,” he noted.
Kanu added that granting the stay would not prejudice either the trial court or the appellant, noting that the case, which began in 2015, only resumed before the current court in 2025.
He urged the appellate court to allow the matter to be properly considered on its merits.
Justice Omotosho had set November 20 as the date for judgment in the terrorism trial of Kanu after he failed to open his defence within the six days allocated by the court.
The judge maintained that Kanu, having not utilised the opportunity to conduct his defence, could not claim denial of his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.
