The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is scheduled to resume today, Friday, July 19, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, under heavy security and restricted access.
According to Naijapunchnews, the case is being handled by Justice James Omotosho, who has implemented strict attendance protocols, limiting the number of individuals allowed inside the courtroom.
Only ten individuals from the defence team have been granted access, a move reportedly intended to maintain order and prevent disruptions. The restricted list comprises eight senior lawyers and two personal associates of the IPOB leader.
The defense team includes prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) such as:
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Kanu G. Agabi
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Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu
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Paul Erokoro
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Emeka Etiaba
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Mela Audu Nunghe
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Dr. Joseph Akubo
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Uchenna Njoku
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Aloy Ejimakor
Also cleared for courtroom access are Hon. Obi Aguocha, a serving member of the House of Representatives, and Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of the defendant.
The trial proceedings are expected to begin at 9:00 a.m., with heightened security already visible around the court premises.
The current phase of the trial follows the conclusion of the federal government’s case, after which the court directed the defense team to submit a written address on a no-case submission within 14 days. This legal maneuver challenges the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence and seeks to dismiss the charges without proceeding to full defense.
Meanwhile, members of the press and general public remain barred from entering the courtroom, continuing a pattern of limited transparency that has drawn criticism from various civil society groups and human rights advocates.
Kanu, who has been in detention since his controversial extradition to Nigeria in 2021, faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and inciting violence through his agitation for the secession of the Southeast region.
His legal team maintains that his detention is unlawful and politically motivated, and they continue to push for his release through domestic and international legal channels.
The outcome of today’s hearing is being closely watched both within and outside Nigeria, as it could shape the trajectory of not only Kanu’s fate but also the broader political tensions surrounding the IPOB movement and calls for regional autonomy.
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