By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Tension flared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday when the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, reacted angrily to the court’s decision to fix November 20, 2025, for judgment in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Justice Binta Nyako set the date after ruling that Kanu had waived his right to open his defence, having failed to present any witnesses or evidence within the time earlier granted by the court.
The decision infuriated Kanu, who protested loudly in the courtroom, insisting that the charges against him were invalid. He argued that the law under which he was being tried had been repealed and could not serve as a legal basis for his prosecution.
The atmosphere escalated when Kanu allegedly pushed a Department of State Services (DSS) official who attempted to restrain him. The situation caused a brief commotion before his lawyers intervened to restore order.
Earlier in the proceedings, Kanu’s legal team had urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that there was no valid charge before it. However, Justice Nyako held that since the defendant declined to open his defence, the court would proceed to judgment based on the evidence already presented by the prosecution.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to November 20 for final judgment, marking a crucial stage in the prolonged legal battle.
