By Amah
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Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, filed a fresh motion before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, praying it to stop Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, from delivering judgment in his trial on November 20, 2025.
Kanu personally asked the court for “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.”
Aloy Ejimakor, the IPOB leader’s counsel, confirmed the development and clarified that Kanu’s application was filed in person at the Court of Appeal registry.
He added that the motion seeks to ensure that the lower court does not proceed with judgment before key jurisdictional issues are resolved.
The applicant contended that he raised serious constitutional questions before the Federal High Court, which the trial judge declined to determine.
Furthermore, Kanu claimed that the 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.”
Kanu also alleged that despite filing a list of witnesses to defend himself, the trial court refused to entertain the defence until the day of judgment.
He expressed concern that he might 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” if the request is not granted.
According to him, the motion would not harm the prosecution if granted, pointing out that he deserved fair treatment in the case that has been dragging since 2015.
