The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally closed its case in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is facing charges of terrorism and treason.
This development came on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the prosecution’s fifth and final witness, identified only as EEE for security reasons, concluded his testimony.
EEE was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, before Justice James Omotosho.
Announcing the close of the government’s case, lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told the court that the evidence presented including various broadcasts allegedly linked to Kanu — had met the burden required by the prosecution.
“After calling five witnesses in this trial, the prosecution is satisfied that the avalanche of evidence tendered has sufficiently made our case. I therefore close the case,” Awomolo stated.
In response, lead defence counsel Kanu Agabi, SAN, informed the court that the defence team intends to file a no-case submission, a legal argument that the prosecution has not made a sufficient case to warrant a defence.
Nnamdi Kanu has long been a controversial figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, with his IPOB movement advocating for the secession of the South-East region of Nigeria.
The group was officially designated a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government in 2017, a designation it has consistently challenged.
The court adjourned to await the filing of the defence’s no-case submission, which is expected to determine whether the trial proceeds to full defence or is dismissed at this stage.
