Just In: Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Bail Application, Insists On Delivering Judgment

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed the bail application filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that it would proceed with the long-awaited judgment in his terrorism trial.

Kanu, standing trial for several years on terrorism and treasonable felony-related charges, had requested the court to halt the judgment and consider a series of fresh motions.

“There is no judgment as I have filed my processes. No judgment would hold,” Kanu declared upon entering the courtroom, as previously reported by Naija News.

Justice James Omotosho, however, cautioned Kanu to maintain decorum and made it clear that the court would not entertain further delays.

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Kanu’s Motions

Representing himself, Kanu informed the court that he had filed three motions between November 11 and 17:

1. A motion asking the court to refer “substantial constitutional issues” to the Court of Appeal.

2. A motion requesting the prosecution be compelled to file a final written address.

3. A motion seeking bail on liberal terms.

Kanu also argued that count seven of the charges against him does not exist under any written law, claiming that this invalidates the entire trial.

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Court’s Ruling

Justice Omotosho consolidated the motions but ruled that the court would not revisit matters that had already been concluded.

“This court is bound by its earlier rulings. The issues regarding the Court of Appeal and the stay of proceedings shall not be entertained. Section 306 of the ACJA prohibits such applications,” he stated.

The judge further clarified that there are only two categories of bail recognised under Nigerian law, and Kanu’s circumstances “do not fall within them.”

With these rulings, the court confirmed it will proceed with the scheduled judgment, marking a critical development in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile legal cases.