Source: Africa Publicity
An Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed the claim that the leader of Nigeria’s Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was denied a fair hearing.
According to the Court, the claim by Kanu of being denied a fair hearing “does not hold water”.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, made this known in his judgment on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The judge said “This matter was assigned to this court in March 2025. Upon assumption of jurisdiction, I granted an accelerated hearing so as to accommodate this trial. The defendant became unruly and caused different delays.”
According to him, the prosecution closed its case after calling five witnesses in June 2025.
He said Kanu then filed a no-case submission which was dismissed on September 26.
The judge says despite urging Kanu to seek legal counsel and enter a defence, the IPOB leader insisted that there was no valid charge against him and declared his continued detention by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) illegal.
He says Kanu came with several strategies to delay his trial, including sacking his lawyers, claiming to be sick, his claim of extraordinary rendition.
According to judge Omotosho, “extraordinary rendition is a criminal offence, and oral evidence must be adduced to prove. He had the duty to call witnesses to prove that.”
He says “The failure of the defendant to call witnesses to give oral evidence to prove his allegation of extraordinary rendition made his case weak.”
The judge added that “It is a mystery to this court that a defendant who is standing trial will delay his own trial.”
According to the judge, “The court has carefully observed the conduct of the defendant, and the fitness of the defendant is clear even without the medical report of the NMA. I therefore hold without doubt that the defendant is fit to stand his trial.”
He says “This court gave 6 consecutive days for him to open trial. he kept making excuses just to stall the trial. He asked for witness summons which the court graciously granted, but he abandoned all of it. He refused to take lawyers pro bono given to him”.
The judge further said “This court has been extremely patient with the defendant. He cannot complain of a lack of a fair hearing. Such rights cannot be taken from him except he expressly waives it.”
It would be recalled that on October 27, 2025, the court told Kanu to open his defence or file a final written address. Instead, he filed motions, including a “Motion/comprehensive written address” praying for the court to discharge him.
He filed a preliminary objection on October 16. The judge says “This will be treated as the final written address. All will be taken into consideration.”
He says “Kanu also said he was deceived into making a plea. But before taking his plea, He was asked if he understood and spoke English language. At first, he said he did not understand the charge; it was then read again. And he pleaded not guilty to all.”
“The defendant cannot turn around and say he was deceived into taking his plea. It is just one of his tactics to delay the trial.”
On the issue of inadequate facilities to prepare for his defence, the judge ruled “that there is nothing to show that he was denied adequate facility to prepare for his defence”.
“His allegation holds no water, and in the light of the circumstances, this issue is resolved against the defendant.”
