The Federal High Court in Abuja has brought forward the court date for the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to address his application for release
In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the trial date for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), moving the hearing forward from October 10 to September 26. The new date, set by Justice James Omotosho, will allow the court to address Kanu’s urgent application for release.
The main terrorism trial against Kanu had originally been slated to resume on October 10, 2025, with a ruling expected on the no-case submission filed by Kanu’s lawyers after the Federal Government had presented its case against him. However, recent developments have accelerated court proceedings to consider pressing health concerns raised by Kanu’s legal team.
Earlier in September, the Federal High Court adjourned a separate application from Kanu’s lawyers requesting his transfer to the National Hospital for urgent medical treatment. This adjournment came as Justice Musa Liman’s tenure as a vacation judge ended on the final day of the Federal High Court judges’ vacation.
In support of the application, Emmanuel Kanu, the IPOB leader’s younger brother, submitted an affidavit describing his brother’s life-threatening heart condition and the inadequacy of current medical facilities at his place of detention. During the hearing, Kanu’s senior counsel, Uchenna Njoku, told the court that the Federal Government’s lawyers had only that morning served a 37-page counter-affidavit, leaving little time for review. Njoku requested additional time to study the document, while lead government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo agreed, expressing regret that the matter had not been scheduled sooner.
Justice Liman, acknowledging the urgency and seriousness of the health concerns, agreed to hear the case but ultimately returned it to the Central Registrar for reassignment, as his jurisdiction as a vacation judge was lapsing. He stressed in the case file that the matter was urgent and should be scheduled for hearing by Justice James Omotosho before the next date of the main trial.
The rescheduled hearing on September 26 is expected to focus on Kanu’s application for release, given the gravity of his health condition, as the legal battle between Kanu and the Federal Government continues to unfold.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
