The Federal Government has officially closed its case against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the ongoing trial centered on charges related to terrorism and treason.
The latest development occurred on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court of the decision after the fifth prosecution witness gave their testimony.
The witness, referred to only as “EEE” due to security concerns, was questioned in court and later cross-examined by the defence team led by Onyechi Ikpeazu.
Awomolo noted that after presenting five witnesses and a series of documents and materials, including recorded broadcasts linked to the IPOB leader, the prosecution was satisfied that they had presented enough information to support their claims. According to him, “I therefore close the case.”
The courtroom session was presided over by Justice James Omotosho, who listened as the fifth witness was guided through their evidence and then answered questions from the defence. Though many of the details shared by the witness remain confidential, the court accepted all submitted documents as part of the official record.
Following the announcement by the government’s lawyer, Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team responded immediately. Chief Kanu Agabi, who leads the defence, told the judge that they would be filing a “no-case submission.” This legal move suggests that the defence believes the prosecution has not provided strong enough evidence to warrant continuing the trial.
Kanu has been in the custody of security agencies since his re-arrest and return to Nigeria in 2021. His arrest followed years of controversy surrounding IPOB’s activities and his public calls for the separation of the southeastern region of Nigeria from the rest of the country.
