The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing of the treasonable felony case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, who was re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in 2021, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge when he appeared before Justice James Omotosho.
His legal team, now led by former Attorney-General Kanu Agabi (SAN), has issued a public apology to the court and prosecution over Kanu’s previous outbursts. Agabi described his client as a defender of Igbo rights who had been overwhelmed by emotions.
In response, FG’s lead prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), accepted the apology, emphasizing that the case was about legal resolution, not persecution.
The trial is set to continue on April 29, May 2, and May 6. Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, initially had 15 charges against him, but eight were struck out in 2022. The Supreme Court later ruled in favor of the Federal Government, allowing the case to proceed on seven counts.
