The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has decided to defend himself in court as his trial resumes on March 21, 2025. The announcement was made in a statement released on Tuesday by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, on behalf of the family.
The statement notes that Kanu has chosen to represent himself to avoid legal delays and ensure a fair hearing.
“On Friday, 21 March 2025, when the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu resumes before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court Abuja, he will be taking the bold step of defending himself in court.
“This development signals a critical juncture in this case that has already exposed deep-seated concerns about the Nigerian judiciary’s handling of matters tied to the legitimate agitation for Biafra’s self-determination.
“The absence of traditional legal representation will dismantle the usual, ‘as my lord pleases’ constraints that govern judicial proceedings in Nigeria, that has for decades allowed the courts to brazenly subvert the cause of justice under a cloak of deference that shield rather than expose injustice.
“The very foundations of the institutional bias that has long plagued this case will be laid bare for the world to see.”
The statement further notes that Kanu’s decision follows the removal of Justice Binta Nyako from the case. Kanu had strongly opposed her continued involvement, accusing her of defying the Supreme Court’s ruling.
His legal team successfully pushed for her recusal, and the case has now been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“This decision by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu comes on the heels of successfully forcing the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako who brazenly defied the Supreme Court of Nigeria through her delective implementation of the termination contained in their judgment. She was hell-bent on convicting a person for exercising a right that the laws of Nigeria stated unambiguously that he could.”
The family also expressed concerns over how the case has been handled, claiming it has been unfair from the start.
“The handling of this case by the Federal Government has been marred by prejudice and unfairness from day one. Onyendu’s shift to self-defence underscores our distrust in a system perceived to be stacked against us and the cause he champions. It also places an immense burden on Justice Omotosho to uphold the principles of fair hearing, fair trial, and the rule of law—principles that have too often been undermined in this politically charged sham trial.
“The world is watching. Any failure by Justice Omotosho to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done will further erode confidence in a judiciary already criticised for its selective application of the law. The stakes could not be higher, and the implications of this trial extend far beyond the courtroom.”
Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, following his controversial arrest and extradition from Kenya. He remains in solitary confinement at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja as he awaits trial.
