A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to enter his defence in the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that prosecutors had successfully established a prima faciecase against the separatist leader, thereby shifting the burden onto Kanu to respond.
The decision means the IPOB leader, who has been in detention since his extradition from Kenya in 2021, must now take the witness stand or call evidence in his defence. The court rejected the argument by Kanu’s lawyers that the prosecution had failed to link him directly to the alleged offences.
Kanu is standing trial on multiple counts bordering on terrorism, incitement, and membership of a proscribed group. The charges stem from his broadcasts on Radio Biafra and his leadership of IPOB, which the government outlawed in 2017 after accusing the group of violent secessionist activities in Nigeria’s South-East.
Friday’s ruling is a significant turning point in a long-running legal battle that has attracted national and international attention. Supporters of Kanu argue that he is being persecuted for his political views and advocacy for an independent Biafra, while the federal government insists it is acting to protect Nigeria’s unity and national security.
The case is expected to continue with the opening of the defence at the next adjourned date, where Kanu and his legal team will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.