Court Orders Nnamdi Kanu to Appear for Resumed Trial on February 10, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the resumed trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for Monday, February 10, 2025. This was confirmed in a hearing notice signed by the court registrar and addressed to Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

Kanu, who has been in detention since his controversial repatriation from Kenya in June 2021, faces terrorism charges in connection with his leadership of IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of the South-East and parts of the South-South from Nigeria.

The hearing notice, dated January 22, 2025, states that the case, involving the Nigerian government and Kanu, will be transferred from the general cause list to the hearing paper for the scheduled date at 9:00 a.m. The notice also indicated that the case would be heard unless court business requires an adjournment.

In reaction to the notice, Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, shared on social media that he and his legal team discussed the hearing with the IPOB leader during a visit to the State Security Service (SSS) facility. He expressed readiness for the hearing, saying, “We shall appear with bated breath.”

However, the hearing notice did not clarify whether Justice Binta Nyako, who previously handled Kanu’s case, would continue presiding over the matter. Kanu had earlier requested her recusal, citing bias, and while Justice Nyako initially withdrew from the case, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court reassigned the matter to her. Since then, Kanu and his legal team have continued to oppose her involvement.

Kanu’s legal team has argued that Justice Nyako’s initial recusal remains valid, as it was not overturned by any competent court. Kanu has also requested that his case be transferred to the South-East if no other judge in Abuja is willing to preside.

The IPOB leader’s legal battle dates back to 2015, when he was first arrested. The Court of Appeal in 2022 ruled that his rendition to Nigeria was unlawful and violated his rights, leading to the striking out of the terrorism charges against him. However, the government appealed the ruling, and the Supreme Court, in December 2023, reversed the acquittal and ordered that Kanu’s trial continue in Abuja.