FG Asks Court to Dismiss Nnamdi Kanu’s No Case Submission

The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to reject a no-case submission filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

During Friday’s proceedings, lead government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) told Justice James Omotosho that Kanu had, in a broadcast on Radio Biafra, openly called for the breakup of Nigeria and declared his intention to establish a separate Biafran Republic.

Awomolo argued that Kanu’s comments were not harmless political statements but posed a direct threat to national security. He said the broadcast stirred fear among citizens and incited violence, noting that over 170 security personnel were killed in the aftermath of Kanu’s directive to his followers.

“The defendant made a public declaration as leader of IPOB, a group already proscribed by the court. He incited people against the Nigerian state and should be held accountable,” Awomolo said.

He urged the court to reject Kanu’s request for acquittal and insisted that the IPOB leader must open his defence to answer to the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

But Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), disagreed. He argued that the prosecution had failed to prove its case, pointing out that no witness had testified to being incited by Kanu.

Agabi said all five prosecution witnesses were officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), and none of them presented an investigative report or evidence that linked Kanu’s statements directly to any act of terrorism.

He added that the charges had been amended eight times, yet no one had come forward to say they were influenced by Kanu’s words. Agabi described some of Kanu’s controversial statements as political hyperbole, noting that calling on people to defend themselves was not terrorism but a right often echoed by others, including retired General T.Y. Danjuma.

The defence lawyer also criticised the conditions of Kanu’s detention, saying he has been kept in solitary confinement for nearly a decade—a violation of international human rights standards, which prohibit such treatment beyond 15 days.

Agabi urged the court to dismiss the terrorism charges for lack of evidence and to acquit Kanu outright.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to October 10 for ruling on the no-case submission.