FG Closes Case Against Nnamdi Kanu, Defense to File No-Case Submission as Trial Adjourns to July 18

Abuja, Nigeria — June 19, 2025 

The Federal Government on Wednesday formally closed its case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, marking a pivotal moment in the high-profile terrorism trial that has captured both national and international attention.

Presiding over the matter at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice James Omotosho confirmed that the prosecution had concluded its presentation of evidence and witnesses. With this, the legal spotlight now shifts to the defense, which has been granted 14 days to file a no-case submission, a legal argument asserting that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case that would require Kanu to enter a defense.

Following the defense’s expected submission, the Federal Government will have an additional 14 days to respond. The court has subsequently adjourned the matter until July 18, 2025, when it will hear arguments on the no-case motion.

“This is a procedural milestone, not a verdict,” Justice Omotosho clarified. 

“The court will review the legal sufficiency of the prosecution’s case to determine whether the trial should proceed.”

The prosecution’s decision to close its case signals the end of the first major phase in a trial that has drawn intense scrutiny since Kanu’s dramatic rendition to Nigeria in 2021. Accused of terrorism, treasonable felony, and inciting violence through IPOB broadcasts, Kanu has consistently denied all allegations, insisting he is being persecuted for advocating self-determination for the Igbo people.

Outside the heavily guarded court premises, dozens of Kanu’s loyalists gathered peacefully in support of their leader. Security agencies deployed armed personnel to prevent any potential disruption.

Reacting to the latest development, one of Kanu’s lead attorneys, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described the prosecution’s closure of its case as “an opportunity for the court to objectively assess the strength of the allegations.”

“We are confident that the evidence presented does not meet the threshold required to warrant a defense,” Ejiofor told reporters.

Legal analysts say the no-case submission is a strategic legal maneuver often employed in criminal trials when the defense believes the evidence is too weak to justify a full trial. If the court rules in favor of the submission, Kanu could be discharged without needing to present any further defense. However, if denied, the trial will proceed to the next stage, where Kanu and his team will mount a formal defense.

The case continues to generate widespread political and social implications, especially within the South-East geopolitical zone where Kanu commands significant grassroots support. International observers and human rights groups have also closely monitored the proceedings, citing broader concerns about