Alleged Terrorism: Kanu Assembles Legal Team as Court Grants Accelerated Hearing

Nnamdi Kanu strengthens his defense with two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and ten other lawyers as the court approves an accelerated hearing in his terrorism case.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared calm and collected during his re-arraignment on terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.

Kanu, who is facing seven counts, pleaded not guilty before Justice James Omotosho. His re-arraignment was preceded by an apology delivered on his behalf by his new attorney, Chief Kanu Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The apology, titled “Apology By Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Delivered on His Behalf by Kanu G. Agabi, SAN, CON,” expressed regret to Justice Binta Nyako, federal government prosecutor Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and Kanu’s former legal team, acknowledging previous actions taken in haste.

Kanu had previously been tried before Justice Nyako on a 15-count charge after returning to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021. In April 2022, eight of those charges were dismissed, while the remaining seven were later overturned by the Court of Appeal in October 2022. However, the Federal Government appealed this decision to the Supreme Court, which reinstated the charges and mandated his continued trial.

During Friday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho renumbered the charges, changing count eight to count six and count 15 to count seven. Kanu then entered a not-guilty plea for all counts.

Federal Government prosecutor Awomolo, SAN, expressed readiness to proceed with the trial and requested an expedited hearing, which was approved. Kanu’s defense team, led by Chief Agabi, did not raise any objections. The court has set the trial dates for April 29, May 2, and May 6.

Throughout the proceedings, Kanu, dressed in his customary sports attire, maintained his composure.

The charges against him are based on alleged inflammatory broadcasts, including calls for a sit-at-home order in the South-East, which the government claims resulted in disruptions to business operations and public movement. He is also accused of inciting violence against security personnel and unlawfully importing a radio transmitter into the country.