Nnamdi Kanu in Court for Hearing on ‘No Case Submission
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday morning appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja for the hearing of his ‘No case submission’ in the terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The hearing, which is seen as a crucial stage in the long-drawn trial, will determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case to warrant Kanu’s defense or whether the charges should be dismissed.
Supporters of the IPOB leader gathered outside the court premises, expressing optimism that the court would rule in his favor. Across the South-East, several socio-cultural groups and opinion leaders have repeatedly appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drop the charges, describing Kanu’s continued detention as a source of rising tension in the region.
Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 following his arrest and extradition, has consistently pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal team insists that the case is politically motivated and has no merit in law.
The matter was adjourned after preliminary arguments, with the court expected to deliver a ruling on the ‘No case submission’ in the coming days.