Abuja, October 27, 2025 — The ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, took a significant turn on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the defendant challenged the legality of the charges filed against him.
Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu maintained that there is no valid or existing charge known to Nigerian law upon which his trial can proceed.
During the session, Kanu pressed the prosecution, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), to specify the exact legal provision or statute that defines the offence he is accused of committing.
Despite repeated interventions by the court, Chief Awomolo was reportedly unable to point to any extant law establishing the alleged offence.
This development appeared to support Kanu’s long-standing argument that his continued prosecution lacks a proper legal foundation.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho directed Kanu to file a written address within four days challenging the validity of the charge and to serve a copy on the prosecution.
The judge also cautioned the prosecution against turning the written submissions into a final address on the case, clarifying that the issue before the court at this stage is strictly the validity of the charge, not the substance of the defence.
The latest proceedings underscore Kanu’s consistent position that his trial is unlawful and unconstitutional.
He has repeatedly argued that “there can be no defence where there is no valid charge,” emphasizing that he will only enter his defence once the prosecution identifies a specific law supporting the allegations.
The court adjourned to await the filing and exchange of written addresses on the issue.
Kanu, who is represented by a global legal consortium led by Onyedikachi Ifedi, Esq., continues to contest both the legitimacy of the charges and the broader legal process surrounding his detention and trial.
