I have no case to answer – Nnamdi Kanu tells Court in Federal Govts terrorism suit

I have no case to answer – Nnamdi Kanu tells Court in Federal Govts terrorism suit

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a no-case submission before the Federal High Court in Abuja, declaring that he has no case to answer in the seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu’s move came immediately after the prosecution closed its case on Wednesday, following the testimony of its fifth and final witness.

The witness, identified only as “EEE,” a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, testified behind a protective screen and linked Kanu’s radio broadcasts to the violence that erupted during the 2020 EndSARS protests.

He claimed the broadcasts incited attacks that led to the killing of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations. Documents, including death certificates and a damage assessment report, were tendered and admitted as evidence.

Lead counsel for the prosecution, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, expressed confidence that the testimony and exhibits had sufficiently established a case against the defendant and formally closed the prosecution’s case.

In response, Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, informed the court of their intention to file a no-case submission an application arguing that the prosecution failed to present enough evidence to warrant the defendant entering a defence.

If successful, the court could discharge Kanu, effectively ending the trial.

Justice James Omotosho granted both parties 14 days each to file written addresses and an additional two days for replies on points of law. The matter was adjourned to July 18 for adoption of the written arguments.

Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria after a military raid on his home in Abia State. He was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and brought back to Nigeria through extraordinary rendition.

Since then, he has been held in DSS custody.

In April 2022, the trial court struck out eight of the original 15 charges against him. Later that year, the Court of Appeal ordered his release and dismissed the case entirely.

However, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling in December 2023, allowing the Federal Government to proceed with trial on the remaining seven counts.

Kanu continues to deny all allegations, and his legal team maintains that the charges are politically motivated.