The Federal Government on Friday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to reject the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), made the plea during proceedings before Justice James Omotosho, arguing that Kanu had made public broadcasts on Radio Biafra that incited violence and called for the disintegration of Nigeria.
Awomolo told the court that Kanu’s broadcast was not a mere expression of opinion but a calculated threat to national unity.
He alleged that Kanu declared his intent to establish the Republic of Biafra and encouraged attacks on security personnel, which reportedly led to the killing of over 170 officers.
“The defendant made a broadcast in which he proudly declared himself as the IPOB leader, even though the group has been proscribed,” Awomolo said. “He made inciting statements capable of plunging the country into fear and chaos.”
The prosecution argued that the no-case submission lacked merit, maintaining that the evidence already presented was sufficient to compel Kanu to enter his defence on the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
In response, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the case, stating that no prosecution witness testified to being incited or harmed by Kanu’s alleged statements.
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Agabi noted that all five witnesses presented by the government were DSS operatives who admitted they were only involved in extracting statements.
He argued that no thorough investigation was carried out and no investigative report linking Kanu to terrorism was tendered in court.
He also pointed out that despite the charges being amended eight times, no direct victim of incitement was produced by the prosecution.
Agabi further defended Kanu’s right to call for self-defence in the face of widespread killings and rejected claims that his client’s statements constituted terrorism.
He also criticised Kanu’s prolonged solitary confinement, which he said violates international human rights standards.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 10, 2025, for ruling on the no-case submission.