Nnamdi Kanu to Open Defence July 18, May File No-Case Submission in Terror Trial

The Federal Government on Thursday officially closed its terrorism case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), setting the stage for a legal showdown as he prepares to open his defense on July 18 — unless he opts for a “no case” submission.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed the date after the fifth and final prosecution witness — a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified only as “EEE” for security reasons — concluded his testimony and cross-examination.

Kanu’s legal team, led by senior advocate Kanu Agabi, SAN, hinted that they would file a no-case submission, arguing that the IPOB leader had not been directly linked to the alleged terrorism offenses.

On the prosecution’s side, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced the closure of the government’s case, saying the evidence — including DSS reports and recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts — were sufficient to support the charges.

“I therefore close the case,” Awomolo declared.

The DSS witness testified that he was deployed to investigate events surrounding the #EndSARS protests between 2020 and 2021 in southern Nigeria. His assignment included reviewing damaged public infrastructure and obtaining death certificates of security agents who died during the unrest.

Three key documents were submitted into evidence:

• DSS assessment report on #EndSARS

• List of deceased officers

• Death certificates of affected personnel
  They were admitted as exhibits PWD2, PWD2A, and PWD2B.

According to the documents:

• 128 policemen, 37 soldiers, and 10 DSS officers were killed.

• 164 police stations and 19 INEC offices were destroyed nationwide.

During cross-examination, however, cracks began to appear. The witness admitted that:

• He did not personally investigate the alleged crimes committed by Kanu.

• He was not involved in Biafra-related investigations, only the aftermath of #EndSARS.

• He could not say definitively whether the entire protest was incited by Kanu.

Defense lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, probed the witness over whether other protest leaders like Aisha Yesufu were investigated — and whether the protests were indeed a Biafran movement.

The witness maintained that while police brutality may have sparked #EndSARS, Kanu’s broadcasts were part of the “underlying causes” that turned peaceful protests into violent chaos.

With the prosecution’s case now rested, all eyes turn to July 18, or an anticipated legal move to have the charges struck out altogether.