The case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has spanned nearly ten years of arrests, courtroom confrontations, and prolonged detention.
First arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, Kanu’s legal journey has been turbulent — from his bail and disappearance in 2017 to his controversial arrest in Kenya in 2021, and a series of judicial decisions that continue to define one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive trials.
Below is a detailed timeline tracing major milestones in a saga that has tested both Nigeria’s legal system and its handling of high-profile cases.
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Timeline of Events
October 14, 2015
Kanu is arrested in Lagos upon return from the UK, facing accusations of terrorism and treasonable felony.
April 25, 2017
A Federal High Court grants him bail on health grounds after spending about 18 months in detention.
April 28, 2017
He is released from Kuje Prison after meeting his bail conditions.
Mid-2017
Kanu goes missing while on bail following a military raid on his residence in Umuahia, Abia State.
June 19, 2021
He is intercepted in Kenya and returned to Nigeria under circumstances widely described as an extraordinary rendition.
June 29, 2021
A court orders his remand at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.
April 8, 2022
The Federal High Court strikes out eight of the 15-count charge against him, ruling that they lacked merit.
October 13, 2022
The Court of Appeal orders his immediate release and quashes the remaining charges.
December 15, 2023
The Supreme Court overturns the appellate ruling and reinstates seven terrorism-related charges for trial.
March 2025
Justice James Omotosho takes over the case and directs that hearings proceed without delay.
May 22, 2025
The court sets firm dates — May 28–29 and June 6, 16, 18, and 19 — for the government to close its case.
July 18, 2025
Proceedings are adjourned to October 10, 2025, for ruling on Kanu’s “no-case” submission.
October 16, 2025
The court adjourns trial and sets October 23–30 for Kanu to present his defence.
October 23, 2025
Kanu dismisses his legal team and informs the court he intends to represent himself.
October 24, 2025
The trial is postponed to October 27 as Kanu argues he cannot continue without access to his case file, which remains with his former lawyers.
October 27, 2025
Kanu states he has reviewed the prosecution’s materials and insists there is “no valid charge” against him. He declines to open a defence or call witnesses. The court directs him to file a written address and sets November 4 for continuation.
October 30, 2025
He files a fresh motion asking the court to strike out all charges, arguing there is no existing law under which the offences can be tried.
November 4, 2025
Justice Omotosho gives him a final opportunity to start his defence on November 5, warning he risks forfeiting that right. Kanu maintains his stance that the charges have no legal basis.
November 5, 2025
The court extends an option: open his defence or adopt a final written address. The judge notes that failure to do so would amount to waiving his defence.
November 6, 2025
Another extension is granted — until November 7 — to either begin defence or forfeit the opportunity. Kanu insists the relevant law, the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, has been repealed.
November 7, 2025
Justice Omotosho rules that Kanu has waived his right to defence after failing to act within the allotted six days. Judgment is fixed for November 20, 2025.
On the same day, Kanu submits yet another motion challenging the legality of the charges and the court’s jurisdiction. The judge says those issues will be addressed in the final judgment.
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