FG vs Nnamdi Kanu: A Timeline of the Legal Battle
The long-running case between the Federal Government and Nnamdi Kanu reached a decisive point on November 20, 2025, when the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered its judgment after years of litigation.
Justice James Omotosho convicted the IPOB leader on all seven terrorism-related counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six. He also received 20 years and five years on Count Seven, with all sentences to run concurrently. The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Below is a timeline of key events in the case since Kanu’s initial arrest in 2015.
2015
October 14: Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in Lagos by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of terrorism and treasonable felony.
November 23: He was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court on charges of criminal conspiracy, intimidation, and membership of an unlawful society. The matter was later transferred to the Federal High Court for treasonable felony charges.
2017
April 25: The Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on health grounds, with a ₦100 million bond and strict conditions, including avoiding interviews and public gatherings.
April 28: Kanu met his bail conditions and was released from Kuje Prison.
August: The Federal Government filed a motion to revoke his bail over alleged violations.
September: A military operation at his home in Umuahia, Abia State, led to his disappearance. His lawyers said he fled for safety, while the government accused him of jumping bail. His bail was revoked, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
2022
February 10: The Kenyan government filed an affidavit confirming that Kanu entered Kenya on May 12, 2021, as a British citizen and that there was no official record of his departure, supporting claims that he was unlawfully transferred to Nigeria.
2023
December 15: The Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal judgment that had acquitted him and struck out terrorism charges. It reinstated the charges and ordered that the trial continue.
2025
February 8: The Federal High Court in Abuja directed that Kanu be produced for a resumed trial on February 10, confirming that he remained in DSS custody since June 2021.
March 21: Trial resumed before Justice Omotosho. Kanu was re-arraigned on seven terrorism counts and pleaded not guilty.
June 24: The High Court in Kenya ruled that his 2021 arrest and transfer to Nigeria were unlawful and awarded damages.
September 22: The Federal High Court brought forward a hearing on his application for release or improved medical access to September 26, following concerns about his health.
September 26: The court ordered the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute a panel to assess Kanu’s health and fitness for trial.
October 26: After the NMA certified him medically fit, the court refused his request for hospital transfer. The case was adjourned to October 23 for the defence to open, with additional dates fixed for October 27–30.
November 4: Justice Omotosho gave Kanu until November 5 to present his defence or forfeit the right.
November 7: The court scheduled judgment for November 20 in his terrorism trial.
November 12: Kanu applied to the Court of Appeal in Abuja to halt proceedings before Justice Omotosho.
November 20: The Federal High Court convicted Kanu on all charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment for terrorism.
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