*Demands Interpretation Of Certain Issues Allegedly Refused By High Court
Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,today headed to the Appeal Court where he filed a motion on notice seeking stay of further proceedings in his trial by Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.
His court filings showed that he made the application in person.
In them, Kanu prayed the Appeal Court to stop Justice Omotosho from delivering scheduled judgment on his case on 20 November 2025.
The IPOB leader further prayed thus: “An Order staying the proceedings of the trial court in Case No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015: Federal Republic of Nigeria VS. Nnamdi Kanu currently pending before Justice James K. Omotosho pending the, hearing and determination of the appeal pending against its decisions in the case, particularly on:
*“Its decision on the No Case Submission; its refusal to determine its jurisdiction and the validity of the counts under which the appellant is being tried; its foreclosure of the appellant’s right to defend the case by fielding witnesses.”
Justifying his resort to appeal, he stressed that despite the jurisdictional question marks highlighted before the Federal High Court, Justice Omotosho refused to rule on them.
He stated: “The trial court refused to evaluate the evidence of the prosecution witnesses vis-à-vis the cross-examination questions to determine whether the evidence was discredited under cross examination.
“Though the appellant file list of witnesses to be called in defence of the case and indicated that the appellant’s defence would come up and the appellant fields witnesses immediately the Court determines its jurisdiction and the validity of the counts, the trial court refused and held that the decision would only be given on the objections during judgment.
“The trial court, while refusing to rule on the objection, foreclosed the appellant’s right to defend the heinous allegations levelled against the appellant. The trial court has adjourned the matter for judgment on the 20th of November, 2025.”
Pleading for justice by the Appeal Court, Kanu noted that “if the application is not granted, the appellant may be unlawfully convicted without being afforded the opportunity of knowing the validity of the counts, the jurisdiction of the trial court and offering defence on the merit.
“Further proceedings on the matter will stultify the appellant’s right of appeal and any appellate decision fait accompli.
“The trial court and the appellant would not be prejudiced if the application is granted, the case having been prolonged since the year 2015, only to commence before the instant court sometime in this year 2025.”
Stressing the imperative for justice to be seen to be done in his matter, Kanu maintained that it is in the interest of justice to grant his application and allow the matter to be taken on the merits.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Kanu (left) in court.
