IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu In Court For Ruling On Release Bid Amid Health Concerns

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday for the final ruling on his application for release.

Kanu, who was escorted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrived in court alongside his legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu G. Agabi (SAN).

Earlier this week, SaharaReporters reported that the court had rescheduled his trial, moving the hearing forward from October 10, 2025, to September 26, 2025, to address his release application.

Meanwhile, the substantive terrorism trial against Kanu remains set to resume on October 10, 2025, when the court is expected to rule on the no-case submission filed by his lawyers after the Federal Government presented its witnesses and closed its case.

Health Concerns and Adjournment

Earlier in September, Kanu’s lawyers had sought his transfer to the National Hospital for urgent treatment, citing a life-threatening heart condition and inadequate medical facilities in DSS custody.

Justice Musa Liman, then serving as vacation judge, adjourned the matter after noting his tenure had ended alongside the Federal High Court vacation period.

In a supporting affidavit, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, detailed the IPOB leader’s deteriorating health.

During the hearing, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), counsel for Kanu, told the court that the Federal Government had filed a 37-page counter-affidavit on the morning of the session, leaving insufficient time for review. He requested more time to study the document.

Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), agreed but regretted that the case was not scheduled earlier despite his team’s readiness to proceed.

Transfer of Case

Justice Liman, acknowledging the urgency of Kanu’s health concerns, stressed that the matter could be life-threatening. However, with his jurisdiction as vacation judge lapsed, he ordered the case file returned to the Central Registrar for transfer to Justice James Omotosho, who is handling the main terrorism trial.

He further noted in his ruling that the issue was urgent and could be heard before the next adjourned date of the main trial.