The trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, resumed yesterday, May 22, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with several dramatic turns in court proceedings.
The case, which has lingered for months, is now under intense scrutiny following the judge’s strong stance on expediting the hearing.
Judge Orders Acceleration, Warns Prosecution
At the start of the session, the presiding judge expressed frustration over the slow pace of the trial, warning the prosecution team led by Awomolo SAN to reduce the number of witnesses. “We cannot continue like this,” the judge said, stressing the need to bring the matter to a close. He gave the prosecution six days within the next two weeks to present all their witnesses, warning that failure to comply could lead to the case being struck out due to a perceived weakness in the prosecution’s strategy.
Cross-Examination of Witnesses
The day’s proceedings saw the continuation of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, who faced a rigorous session led by Paul Erokoro SAN, part of the defense team headed by Kanu Agabi SAN.
A central point in the cross-examination involved a series of video clips presented by the defense. These videos included prominent figures such as retired General TY Danjuma and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, both seen making statements about self-defense and politically motivated violence. When asked about these clips, the witness confirmed their authenticity but declined to comment on the implications, stating it was not his job to interpret the speakers’ statements.
Discrepancies Highlighted
In one of the key exchanges, the witness was questioned about inconsistencies in his testimonies, particularly about IPOB’s involvement in violent acts and the reliability of his claims. The defense emphasized that despite previous claims, the witness could not provide definitive evidence linking the defendant or IPOB members to criminal acts, nor had he conducted investigations to distinguish between law-abiding members and perpetrators of violence.
The defense also presented a flash drive containing the video exhibits, which was admitted into evidence despite objections from the prosecution.
Governor’s Contradictory Statement
In another video, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was seen stating that the killings in Orlu were politically motivated and not the handiwork of IPOB, contradicting earlier statements attributed to him. When asked, the witness acknowledged hearing the statement but insisted the governor did not name any specific party.
Prosecution Stumbles with Unready Witnesses
Following the discharge of the second witness, the prosecution faced a setback when their third witness was not ready to testify, prompting another request for time. This further frustrated the judge, who reiterated the urgency of the matter, citing the defendant’s prolonged detention and the approaching court vacation.
Legal Teams Present
The defense team was notably robust, with over a dozen senior lawyers including Alloy Ejimakor, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and Max Opara. The prosecution team also had its full complement in court.
Background and Legal Arguments
The defense challenged the validity of the threats allegedly made by the defendant, pointing out that no evidence showed anyone acted on those statements. The witness admitted that IPOB was not illegal prior to its proscription and that he had not investigated individual members for wrongdoing. Documents including the Lagos State EndSARS panel report and a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation were also tendered as exhibits.
Conclusion
As proceedings continue, the court’s insistence on an accelerated timeline signals a shift towards resolving the long-standing case. The next sessions will be crucial in determining whether the prosecution can substantiate its claims within the limited time granted.
Credit: ABN TV
