Hon. Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja has approved an accelerated hearing on the seven-count terrorism charge brought against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The accelerated hearing was in consideration of the fact that the case had been ongoing for 10 years.

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015, following his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. He was later granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at the Kuje Correctional Facility.

However, Kanu jumped bail and returned to the United Kingdom. He was later re-arrested in Kenya in 2021, extradited to Nigeria, and has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services to date.

During his trial, Kanu requested a new judge, alleging that Justice Binta Nyako, who was handling the matter, was biased. Following the allegation, Justice Nyako recused herself on September 24, 2024.

Upon Kanu’s request for a new judge and the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho.

At the resumed sitting, Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, apologised to the court on behalf of the IPOB leader, saying, “They are now at a place where they must apologise to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and his legal team.”

Agabi stated that Kanu had been angry for a long time and noted that the attack on Justice Nyako was unjustified. He also apologised to Kanu’s team, whom Kanu had verbally attacked at the last sitting.

The counsel further expressed regret for Kanu’s comments directed at the Federal Government’s counsel, who is also the chairman of the Body of Benchers, describing him as a lawyer held in high regard.

Agabi described Kanu as a good man and stated, “Everyone can’t be of like minds.” He pleaded for understanding, emphasising the need to make room for errors and to strive to save, not destroy.

Responding, the Federal Government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, accepted the apology and assured the court of their commitment to ensuring an expeditious hearing of the case. Awomolo acknowledged Kanu’s feelings and the tension generated by the matter.

In his remarks, Justice Omotosho noted that the length of the trial might have taken a toll on Kanu.

“When the defendant was arraigned in 2015, he was 47. Now he is 57 and still does not know where he is headed. This may have led him to make certain comments that were not right,” said Justice Omotosho.

The judge also apologised to the prosecution on behalf of Kanu.

After that, the seven-count charge was read to Kanu, and he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecution informed the court of their readiness for trial, a position the defence team did not object to.

Justice Omotosho granted an accelerated hearing, considering that the case had been ongoing for 10 years.

The matter was adjourned to April 29, May 2, and May 6 for trial.

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