Nnamdi Kanu files fresh motion to stop Court Judgment slated for November 20

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion seeking to stop the Federal High Court in Abuja from delivering judgment in his ongoing case scheduled for November 20.

Justice James Omotosho had earlier fixed the date after Kanu failed to open his defence despite being given multiple opportunities to do so. However, in the new motion filed on Tuesday, Kanu urged the court to suspend its ruling, arguing that the entire proceedings were based on repealed and non-existent laws and conducted in violation of a Supreme Court directive.

Kanu claimed that the court’s actions contravened Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates all courts to uphold the decisions of the Supreme Court. He is also seeking a declaration that the trial court failed to comply with the apex court’s findings that Count 15 (now Count 7) “does not exist in law,” thereby rendering all subsequent proceedings null and void.

The IPOB leader further argued that the court’s refusal to take judicial notice of the repeal of the 2013 Terrorism Act, as required under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, invalidated all actions taken under that repealed law.

Kanu also maintained that, in line with Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to try him without proof that the alleged offences were crimes under Kenyan law or supported by a valid extradition order from Kenya.

He added that the plea he purportedly took on March 29, 2025, under a repealed law and in violation of Section 220 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, was void and incapable of conferring jurisdiction on the court.

Kanu, therefore, asked the court to set aside all proceedings and orders made by Justice Omotosho in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, citing lack of jurisdiction and breach of constitutional supremacy.

The IPOB leader, who recently dismissed his legal team, has insisted on representing himself. Despite the judge’s repeated advice to seek legal representation, Kanu maintained that there was no valid charge against him and described his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) as unlawful.