The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday, visited the Supreme Court in Abuja to personally submit a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urging the apex court to halt his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court.
Kanu, who arrived under tight security escort from the Department of State Services (DSS), sought the court’s intervention to discontinue the proceedings against him, arguing that the charges were based on a law that had already been repealed.
The IPOB leader’s appearance at the Supreme Court marked a last-ditch effort to prevent the scheduled November 20 judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court insiders, Kanu’s legal team is contending that the prosecution’s reliance on repealed provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act invalidates the case, insisting that the trial is unconstitutional and ought to be struck out.
On Tuesday, the embattled separatist also filed a motion before the Court of Appeal, seeking an order to stay further proceedings in his terrorism case pending the determination of his fresh appeal.
In the application, Kanu’s counsel asked the appellate court to suspend the delivery of judgment fixed for November 20 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, until all legal questions regarding the legitimacy of the trial are resolved.
Kanu’s renewed legal manoeuvres come amid growing anticipation over the court’s decision, which is expected to determine the next phase of his long-running legal battle with the Federal Government.
The IPOB leader, who has been in DSS custody since 2021 following his re-arrest and repatriation from Kenya, is facing terrorism-related charges filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
