“I’m Not Guilty” Of Terrorism Accusation, Nnamdi Kanu, Tells Court
…. Apologizes Over Misconduct
Detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that he did not commit any terrorism offence as being alleged by the Federal Government.
Kanu pleaded not guilty to the allegation, following his fresh arraignment on Friday, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
As the 7-count charges were read one after the other to him, the IPOB leader denied the allegations that he had threatened Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating illegal radio station to broadcast Biafran messages.
After the plea, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government announced to the court his readiness to conduct prosecution in line with the spirit and letters of the Supreme Court that ordered fresh trial.
He asked for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses and also applied for accelerated hearing which was granted by the court.
Based on the request and having not objected by the defence counsel led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), Justice Omotosho fixed April 29 and May 2 and 6, 2025 for trial.
Kanu, who was brought back to the country in June 2021 from Kenya had since been in the custody of the DSS on the order of court, also conceded to speedy trial of the charges against him.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4, 2025 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.
The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge after alleging bias.
Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.
The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has been elevated to Appeal Court and Justice Tsoho (before becoming the CJ) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges.
Meanwhile, Kanu has formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako and Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on the alleged charges.
He pleaded passionately for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.
Kanu’s apology was contained in a speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi.
In the emotion ladden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in the open court.
Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.
“In expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers.
“I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). He deserves highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.
“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but defending the cause of Igbo people who are resilient, fearless and using their God given talents to give good account of themselves.
“We may have misgivings but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence to resolve our differences”, he pleaded.
In a brief remark, Awomolo (SAN) said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him, stressing he was not a persecutor but prosecutor, working to ensure quick resolution of the charges.
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