Heavy Security as Nnamdi Kanu Awaits Fate in Long-Running Terrorism Case

Security has been heightened across the South-East ahead of today’s judgment in the terrorism case involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021 following what his legal team describes as an “extraordinary rendition” from Kenya, is expected to know his fate in a matter that has stretched for nearly a decade.

Justice James Omotosho fixed Thursday, November 20, for judgment after ruling on November 7 that Kanu had failed to open his defence within the six-day period allocated by the court.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Kanu had filed a motion challenging the validity of the terrorism charges against him. He argued that the charges were invalid since they were filed under the repealed Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, insisting that the proceedings were “a nullity” and disclosed “no offence known to law.”

He asked the court to strike out the case, expunge the “purported plea of not guilty entered for him,” and order his release.

However, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu could not claim denial of fair hearing after refusing to take advantage of the opportunity given to him, stating that “no ruling or preliminary objection would be determined at this stage.”

Kanu’s trial has been marked by years of adjournments, appeals, and intense legal battles. In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged him, declaring his rendition from Kenya a violation of international law. But the Federal Government appealed, and the Supreme Court reversed the decision, returning the matter to the trial court.

Amid the anticipated ruling, Kanu has filed a fresh suit before the Court of Appeal seeking to stop today’s judgment. The appellate court has not fixed a date for hearing and has issued no order.

In Abia State, Kanu’s home state, police authorities said security arrangements had been strengthened to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa had directed a robust security deployment across the state.

She quoted the CP as saying, “We put some security strategies in place to make sure there is no breakdown of law and order.”

Chinaka noted that the command was working closely with other security agencies to ensure stability.

“Officers of the Abia State Police Command… are all out to ensure that law and order are maintained… Abia is safe. The command is always out to ensure that the state is safe,” she said.

She added that routine Monday patrols already take place across the state, and the police were “not expecting any anti-behaviour on Thursday, whichever way the judgment goes.”

SaharaReporters also reported that Kanu filed a direct criminal complaint against two DSS witnesses, identified as TAA (PW1) and BBB (PW2), accusing them of giving “false evidence on oath” during his trial.

The complaint, dated November 13 and signed by Kanu, was filed before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja. The defendants listed include the two DSS operatives, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the DSS Director-General, Adewale Adeleye or his successor.

According to the filing, both witnesses allegedly committed perjury contrary to Sections 156, 158, and 159 of the Penal Code.

Kanu claimed that TAA falsely denied knowing Mr Brown Ekwoaba, the DSS Assistant Director (Investigations) said to have supervised Kanu’s 2015 detention, a claim contradicted by filed affidavits. He also accused BBB of contradicting his earlier account regarding a video interview conducted on July 17, 2021.

He argued that the alleged false testimony was intended to obscure the true chain of custody of his statements.

Kanu’s continued detention has attracted global attention, with Igbo socio-political groups, human-rights organisations, and several South-East leaders repeatedly calling for his release as a step toward easing regional tensions.

As judgment is set to be delivered today, anxiety remains high across the South-East and beyond over the outcome of one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials in recent history.