The trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu took a dramatic turn during Thursday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as Kanu openly challenged the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, over what he described as procedural vi%lations and the use of non-existent laws in his prosecution.
The heated moment occurred while the court was discussing the filing of Kanu’s final written address. Kanu insisted he had the constitutional right to file the document and questioned the legal basis for the court’s earlier restrictions. During the exchange, he told the judge that the prosecution had failed to present any valid written law defining the offences for which he is being tried, insisting that several of the cited statutes had been repealed.
Kanu, who has chosen to represent himself after disengaging his legal team, argued repeatedly that Section 36(12) of the Constitution requires that no Nigerian can be convicted for an offence not clearly defined in written law. He maintained that the entire case against him was a “nullity,” adding that he had filed a motion on notice, an affidavit, and constitutional arguments which should form his defence and written address.
The court session grew tense as the prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), accused Kanu of attempting to delay the trial through repeated filings and refusals to open his defence. Justice Omotosho reminded Kanu that failure to defend himself could be interpreted as a waiver of his rights, stressing: “You are educated, but you are not a lawyer. This is a criminal matter, and you must understand the consequences.”
Despite the friction, the judge agreed that Kanu’s filed documents would be considered at the judgment stage, even as he reiterated that the trial would not be stalled indefinitely. The court had earlier set 20 November 2025 as the date for judgment, though Kanu has already filed an appeal asking the Court of Appeal to halt the process pending the determination of issues relating to jurisdiction and legality of the charges.
