The family of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has announced his intention to defend himself in court when his trial resumes on March 21, 2025. This significant decision was conveyed in a statement from Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu.
Kanu has chosen to represent himself to avoid the legal delays that have plagued his case, seeking a fair hearing. The statement emphasized, “On Friday, 21 March 2025, when the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu resumes before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court Abuja, he will be taking the bold step of defending himself in court.”
This move marks a pivotal moment in a case that highlights ongoing concerns regarding the Nigerian judiciary’s approach to issues surrounding Biafra’s self-determination. Kanu’s decision to forgo traditional legal representation is seen as a means to challenge the norms that have long influenced judicial proceedings in Nigeria, aiming to expose rather than shield injustices.
The statement further noted that Kanu’s choice follows the successful recusal of Justice Binta Nyako, who had earlier been perceived as inconsistent in her adherence to a Supreme Court directive.
It also called attention to the perceived bias and unfairness exhibited by the Federal Government since the inception of the case. “Onyendu’s shift to self-defence underscores our distrust in a system that we believe is stacked against us,” the statement expressed. “It also places an immense burden on Justice Omotosho to uphold the principles of fair hearing and the rule of law, which have often been compromised in this politically contentious trial.”
As the trial approaches, the world is closely monitoring the situation. The statement warned that any failure by Justice Omotosho to uphold justice could further undermine public confidence in a judiciary already criticized for its selective enforcement of the law. The implications of this trial reach well beyond the courtroom.
Nnamdi Kanu’s case has now been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho, following Justice Binta Nyako’s withdrawal after an earlier court ruling. Since his arrest and extradition from Kenya in June 2021, Kanu has remained in solitary confinement at the Department of State Services headquarters in Abuja.
