The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss Nnamdi Kanu’s request to stop his trial and instead order him to continue defending himself against terrorism charges.
During the hearing on July 18, the government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said they had given the court enough evidence—including videos and witnesses—to prove the case. He asked the judge not to accept the defence’s argument that the evidence is weak.
Awomolo told the court that Kanu made serious public statements that encouraged violence and that these comments should not be dismissed as ordinary boasting.
He said that Kanu’s speeches caused fear and supported violence, and that Kanu’s own broadcasts showed he led IPOB, a group that has been banned. These broadcasts, according to the prosecution, led to violent acts and the deaths of over 170 security officers.
Awomolo added that if Kanu believed he was only joking or making content, then he should still explain why he made those scary and dangerous statements.
He also disagreed with the claim that Kanu had been in solitary confinement for ten years. He explained that Kanu was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and later had his bail revoked in 2021 when he didn’t return to court. His current detention, he said, is legal and based on a court order.
The prosecution blamed the defence team for delays in the case, saying they were responsible for how long it has taken, and denied that the case had dragged on for ten years.
Awomolo also pointed out that the question of IPOB’s ban is already before the Supreme Court, so the trial court should not interfere in that matter.
In response, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said the government had failed to prove that Kanu’s statements caused any violence. He said no witness came forward to say Kanu’s words influenced them to act violently.
Agabi argued that Kanu was simply bragging when he said he could stop the world. He added that it’s not a crime for someone to boast.
He explained that Kanu’s broadcasts were just encouraging people to defend themselves, something even government officials have said in the past.
The lawyer questioned the quality of the evidence, including an #EndSARS report used by the prosecution, which he said wasn’t properly verified. He also noted that many of the prosecution witnesses couldn’t remember basic details during cross-examination.
Agabi said that Kanu’s long isolation had affected his mental state and that the case had gone on for so long that people had forgotten important facts.
He also argued that the government didn’t properly investigate the case. All the witnesses were from the DSS, and many of them didn’t remember much or said they weren’t aware of key issues.
Agabi challenged the claim that IPOB was legally banned, saying there was no proof that the President had approved the proscription. He asked the court to demand that the government provide this approval if it exists.
He also said that one of the charges, about importing a transmitter, should not be handled by the trial court because the Court of Appeal had already said the court had no authority over that matter.
After both sides presented their arguments, the judge, Justice Omotosho, adjourned the case until October 10, 2025, when he will decide whether Kanu must continue with his defence or if the case will be dropped.
