Nnamdi Kanu Tells Court He Has No Case to Answer as FG Closes Terrorism Trial
Nnamdi Kanu Tells Court He Has No Case to Answer as FG Closes Terrorism Trial
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday declared before the Federal High Court in Abuja that he has no case to answer in his ongoing trial on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
Kanu’s submission followed the Federal Government’s decision to close its case after presenting its fifth and final prosecution witness. The witness, identified as “EEE” for security reasons, testified from behind a protective screen. Led in evidence by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the prosecution said it had provided sufficient evidence to support its claims.
“We are satisfied that the evidence presented through our five witnesses has sufficiently established the case against the defendant,” Awomolo told the court. “I will therefore, at this juncture, close the case of the prosecution.”
In response, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that his client would be entering a no-case submission — a legal argument that the prosecution had not made out a case strong enough to require a defence.
Justice James Omotosho granted both the prosecution and defence 14 days each to file their final written addresses, with two additional days allowed for replies on points of law. He adjourned the case to July 18 for the adoption of the no-case submission.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the final prosecution witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, alleged that Kanu incited violent attacks during the 2020 #EndSARS protests through his online broadcasts. The witness claimed the attacks led to the deaths of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations. He tendered a damage report, death certificates, and a certificate of compliance as evidence.
However, during cross-examination by defence counsel Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted he had never met Kanu and had only learned about him through the media. The defence raised objections to the admissibility of several pieces of evidence, noting that detailed arguments would be presented in the final written submission.
Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017 on health grounds. He fled the country that same year after his home was invaded by security forces. In 2021, he was re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, where he has since been in DSS custody.
Out of the initial 15-count charge brought against him, the trial court struck out eight in 2022. The Court of Appeal dismissed the remaining charges and ordered his release, but that judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court in December 2023, clearing the way for the continuation of the trial on the remaining seven counts.
Kanu’s legal team maintains that the Federal Government has not established a prima facie case and is optimistic the no-case submission will be upheld by the court.
