The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a petition with the Court of Appeal in Abuja, requesting a suspension of further proceedings in his trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, overseen by Justice James Omotosho.
Court documents obtained by Channels indicate that Kanu is seeking an order to prevent the high court from delivering judgment on November 20, 2025, pending the hearing of his appeal challenging several decisions made by the trial court.
Kanu argued that the Federal High Court ignored jurisdictional questions he raised, refusing to rule on them. He also claimed the court failed to assess the prosecution’s evidence in relation to his cross-examination, which, he said, undermined some of the testimonies.
He criticised the court’s handling of his no-case submission, its refusal to address jurisdictional concerns, the validity of the charges against him, and the denial of his right to present defence witnesses.
“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.
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He warned that proceeding with the trial could result in an unlawful conviction, depriving him of the opportunity to challenge 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 added.
Kanu also argued that granting a stay would not prejudice either the trial court or the appellant, noting that while the case began in 2015, it only resumed before the current court in 2025. He urged the appellate court to ensure the matter is properly considered on its merits.
Justice Omotosho had scheduled November 20 as the date for judgment in Kanu’s terrorism trial, citing the leader’s failure to open his defence within the six days allotted by the court. The judge maintained that Kanu, having not utilised the time to present his defence, could not claim denial of his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.