Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, filed a motion before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking a stay of further proceedings in his trial before Justic James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
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In a court filing reported by Sahara Reporters attributed to Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Kanu who posted the court documents on his X page, he (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) filed the application in person praying the Appeal Court to stop Justic Omotosho from delivering judgment on his case on November 20, 2025, as scheduled.
He prayed for “An Order staying the proceedings of the trial court in Case No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015: Federal Republic of Nigeria VS. Nnamdi Kanu currently pending before Justice James K. Omotosho pending the, hearing and determination of the appeal pending against its decisions in the case, particularly on:
- Its decision on the No Case Submission;
- Its refusal to determine its jurisdiction and the validity of the counts under which the Appellant is being tried;
- Its foreclosure of the Appellant’s right to defend the case by fielding witnesses.”
Investogist reported on Friday that the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgement in the terrorism trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Friday, after Kanu once again refused to open his defence, having exhausted all the opportunities afforded him by the Court.
Kanu made the Appeal Court filing on the following grounds:
- In spite of the jurisdictional questions raised before the Federal High Court, the trial court refused to rule on them.
- The trial court refused to evaluate the evidence of the prosecution witnesses vis-à-vis the cross-examination questions to determine whether the evidence was discredited under cross examination,” he further stated.
- Though the Appellant file list of witnesses to be called in defence of the case and indicated that the Appellant’s defence would come up and the Appellant fields witnesses immediately the Court determines its jurisdiction and the validity of the counts, the trial court refused and held that the decision would only be given on the objections during judgment.
- The trial court, while refusing to rule on the objection, foreclosed the Appellant’s right to defend the heinous allegations levelled against the Appellant. The trial court has adjourned the matter for judgment on the 20th of November, 2025.
- If the application is not granted, the Appellant may be unlawfully convicted without being afforded the opportunity of knowing the validity of the counts, the jurisdiction of the trial court and offering defence on the merit.”
- Further proceedings on the matter will stultify the Appellant’s right of appeal and any appellate decision fait accompli.
- The trial court and the Appellant would not be prejudiced if the application is granted, the case having been prolonged since the year 2015, only to commence before the instant court sometime in this year 2025.
- It is in the interest of Justic to grant the application and allow the matter taken on the merit.
Kanu the listed the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Respondent.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
