Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by the lawyers of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The ruling followed the Federal Government’s presentation of witnesses, evidence, and subsequent closure of its case against Kanu. After rejecting the application, Justice Omotosho directed the IPOB leader to enter his defence.
Kanu, escorted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrived at the court on Friday for the ruling. He was accompanied by his legal team led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu G. Agabi (SAN).
Earlier in the week, SaharaReporters reported that the Federal High Court had rescheduled the hearing date for Kanu’s application seeking his release. Originally fixed for October 10, the case was brought forward to Friday, September 26, for determination by Justice Omotosho.
The substantive terrorism trial against Kanu, however, remains slated to resume on October 10, 2025. It was on that date the court had been expected to decide on the no-case submission filed by Kanu’s lawyers, after the Federal Government concluded its case.
Meanwhile, in a separate development earlier in September, the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned an application filed by Kanu’s lawyers seeking his transfer to the National Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Justice Musa Liman, who presided over the matter as a vacation judge, adjourned it after his tenure expired at the close of the Federal High Court judges’ vacation.
In a 14-paragraph affidavit filed by Emmanuel Kanu, the IPOB leader’s younger brother, it was alleged that Kanu suffers from a life-threatening heart condition and that the medical facilities available to him were inadequate for proper treatment.
During the hearing, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), one of Kanu’s counsel, informed the court that Federal Government lawyers had served him a 37-page counter-affidavit on the same morning, leaving insufficient time for him to study the document. He therefore requested additional time.
Lead counsel for the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, agreed with Njoku’s request, noting it was unfortunate that the matter had not been scheduled earlier since his team was ready to proceed.
In his final remarks, Justice Liman expressed doubt about ruling on the matter, citing the limited time left in his vacation jurisdiction. He emphasized that the case was urgent, involving “serious health concerns that could be a matter of life and death,” before directing that it be reassigned to Justice Omotosho through the Central Registrar.
