Nnamdi Kanu leader of the Biafra nation agitator has pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government at his fresh arraignment on Friday.
The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice James Omotosho, under heavy security provided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
As the seven-count charges were read out one by one, Kanu, dressed in his signature white sportswear, pleaded not guilty to the allegations of threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating an illegal radio station to broadcast Biafra-related messages.
Following Kanu’s plea, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, informed the court of his readiness to proceed with the prosecution in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive for a fresh trial.
He requested an adjournment to allow him to assemble his witnesses and also applied for an accelerated hearing, a request the court granted.
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With no objections from the defense counsel, led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho scheduled the trial to commence on April 29, with additional hearings on May 2 and 6, 2025.
Kanu, who was extradited from Kenya in June 2021 and has since remained in DSS custody by court order, also agreed to an expedited trial of the charges against him.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4, 2025 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.
The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge after alleging bias.
Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.
The judge stated that she could not continue with the trial if the defendant lacked confidence in the court.
Prior to this, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, and Justice Tsoho, before his appointment as Chief Judge, had overseen Kanu’s trial. The case was later reassigned to Justice Nyako after the defendant rejected both judges.
In contrast to earlier sessions, Kanu remained calm and composed throughout the re-arraignment.
