Four additional Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have joined the legal defence team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ahead of the resumption of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The trial is scheduled to resume before Justice James Omotosho on Monday, 29 April.
The newly appointed legal practitioners include Prof Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Mela Audu Nunghe (SAN), and Dr Joseph Akubo (SAN). Their inclusion was disclosed by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a formal notice to the court, as well as to Kanu’s family and supporters.
“UPDATE: In addition to Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN & Uchenna Njoku, SAN, 4 more SANs have joined MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s legal team. They’re: Prof Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN & Dr. Joseph Akubo, SAN. They will all be in Court on 29th April, 2nd & 6th May,” the notice read.
Justice Omotosho had previously granted an accelerated hearing of the seven-count terrorism charge against Kanu, citing the protracted duration of the case, which has spanned nearly a decade.
Kanu was first arrested on 14 October 2015 after returning from the United Kingdom.
He was granted bail on health grounds in 2017 but subsequently left Nigeria. He was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to continue facing trial.
Despite several court rulings discharging and acquitting him, the Federal Government has refused to release Kanu, insisting that proceedings must continue.
The case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho after the previous judge, Justice Binta Nyako, stepped down following Kanu’s public request for her recusal, citing a lack of confidence in her neutrality.
The trial is set to continue on 29 April, with further sittings expected on 2 and 6 May.
