The case of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has witnessed a series of dramatic events over the years.
He has had a history of arrests and legal battles with the federal government.
Kanu rose from relative obscurity to public consciousness in 2009 when he started broadcasting through the London-based ‘Radio Biafra’, which was very popular among listeners in the South-East.
First apprehended in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony and terrorism, Kanu’s legal journey has been marked by dramatic twists – his bail and subsequent disappearance in 2017, a controversial re-arrest in 2021, and years of courtroom delays that have kept him in custody over the years.
The Nation takes a look at the chain of events to refresh your memory.
Here is a timeline of Kanu’s arrest, trial, and conviction:
October 14, 2015 — Kanu was arrested in Lagos and was detained for more than a year.
He was arraigned by the Federal Government on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.
November 23, 2015 — Kanu was arraigned at the Abuja Magistrate Court for charges of “criminal conspiracy, intimidation, and membership of an illegal organisation” by the Department of State Services (DSS).
April 28, 2017 — Kanu was released from detention on bail. He was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
March 28, 2019 — Justice Binta Nyako revoked the bail that was granted to Kanu on health grounds and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
September 2017 — Kanu disappeared from public radar after his home was raided by the military.
He reportedly fled the country after the invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu near Umuahia, Abia State, during the military’s ‘Operation Python Dance II’ staged to quell agitation for the Biafra Republic in September 2017.
September 20, 2017 —The federal government obtained a court order to designate IPOB a terrorist group and to proscribe it.
February 19, 2018 — The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that Kanu be separately tried from the rest of his co-defendants.
He was facing a five-count treasonable felony charge alongside four other pro-Biafra agitators – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi, and Bright Chimezie.
November 26, 2020 — A Federal High Court in Abuja commenced Kanu’s trial, in his absence. Five prosecution witnesses were provided to testify against Kanu.
January 27, 2021 — The Federal High Court in Abuja continued the trial of Kanu. The matter was initially fixed for hearing on Nov. 26, but when it was called, both Kanu and his counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, were absent in court.
The notice was served on the federal government’s prosecution team and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the defendant’s counsel.
On June 19, 2021, he was re-arrested in Kenya and subsequently returned to Nigeria via alleged rendition.
June 29, 2021 Court remanded him in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
July 26, 2021 — The Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered that Kanu be remanded in the Department of State Service (DSS) facility, pending the trial continuation.
April 8, 2022 – Federal High Court strikes out eight of the 15-count charge against him, finding they lacked substance.
October 13, 2022 – Court of Appeal orders his immediate release from detention and quashes the charges against him.
December 15, 2023 – The Supreme Court of Nigeria overturns the appellate court’s decision and restores the remaining seven-count terrorism charge for trial.
March 2025 – A new judge, James Omotosho, takes over the trial file. The court orders an “accelerated hearing” of the case.
May 22, 2025 – Court sets strict dates (28-29 May; 6, 16, 18, 19 June) for the Federal Government to close its case.
July 18, 2025 – Trial is adjourned to 10 October 2025 for ruling on a “no-case” submission by the defence.
October 16, 2025 – Court adjourns the trial to commence his defence on October 23 and gives him until October 30 to close his defence.
October 23, 2025 – Kanu fires defence counsel, to represent himself
October 24, 2025 – Court adjourns trial to October 27 after Kanu says he cannot proceed with his defence because his former legal team has not handed over his case file.
Oct 27, 2025 – Kanu tells the court he has reviewed the prosecution’s case and finds “no valid charge” against him, and he declines to open his defence or call witnesses. The judge orders him to file a written address on his position and also set further dates (November 4) for proceeding.
Oct 30, 2025 – Kanu files a fresh motion seeking the striking out of the terrorism-related charges, arguing there is no law under which he is being tried.
Nov 4, 2025 – In court, the judge (James Omotosho) gives Kanu one final opportunity to open his defence on November 5 or risk being deemed to have waived his right to do so. The judge again urges him to consult a criminal-law expert. Kanu reiterates his position that no valid law underpins the charges.
Nov 5, 2025 – Court orders Kanu to either open his defence or adopt a final written address, warning that failure to do so would amount to waiver of his defence rights.
Nov 6, 2025 – Court extends deadline: Kanu is given until Nov 7, 2025 to open his defence or waive his rights. He again challenges the legitimacy of the charges, saying the relevant law (Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act) has been repealed.
Nov 7, 2025 – Justice Omotosho rules that Kanu has waived his right to open his defence after the six-day period allotted for that expired. The court then fixes November 20, 2025 as the date for judgment in his terrorism case.
On the same day, Kanu files a motion challenging the competence of the charge and the court’s jurisdiction, arguing the offence is based on statutes that have been repealed. The judge holds those motions would be determined at judgment, not at this stage.
November 20 – The Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu for acts of terrorism and his membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment. Omotosho said he ought to sentence him to death but for his decision to show him mercy.
Kanu was convicted of all seven counts preferred against him even though the IPOB leader pleaded not-guilty to the charges.
