The long-standing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resumed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Presiding over the case, Justice James Omotosho granted the Federal Government’s request for witnesses to testify behind protective screens—an added layer of secrecy in the high-profile terrorism and treason case.
At Tuesday’s hearing, lead defence lawyer Kanu Agabi informed the court that his team comprised 22 legal representatives. However, the judge allowed only 13, as listed in court documents. Notably, four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Audu Nunghe, Joseph Akubo, Emeka Etiaba, and Onyechi Ikpeazu—have joined the defence team.
The case dates back to 2015, when Kanu was first arrested in Lagos. Over the years, various setbacks have prevented the prosecution from presenting witnesses or evidence. These delays persisted until this week’s hearing.
Initially, Kanu was charged alongside four co-defendants. But in February 2018, Justice Binta Nyako separated his trial from the others after Kanu fled Nigeria. The split allowed proceedings against the remaining defendants to continue.
Kanu was later re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021, reviving the dormant case.
