As courtroom battles intensify in Abuja, the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu is taking a dramatic legal turn. Ahead of proceedings set to resume on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Kanu’s defence team has undergone a significant reinforcement — a tactical legal overhaul that many analysts say signals a new chapter in his controversial trial.
Four prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) — Prof. Onyechi Ikpeazu, Emeka Etiaba, Mela Audu Nunghe, and Dr. Joseph Akubo — have joined the defence lineup, boosting the legal arsenal to 19 lawyers, including six SANs. They now work alongside established heavyweights Chief Kanu Agabi and Uchenna Njoku in what some are calling one of the most formidable defence teams assembled in recent Nigerian legal history.
Legal observers suggest the move reflects more than courtroom preparation; it reveals a shift in tone and strategy. Kanu, who was re-arraigned earlier this year on terrorism-related charges, surprised many by offering a formal apology through his lead counsel to the judiciary and former legal representatives — a gesture that may be interpreted as an attempt to reshape public perception and possibly influence judicial discretion.
“The presence of such a high-powered team indicates seriousness in redefining the trajectory of the case,” said Lagos-based constitutional lawyer Ifeanyi Okwuosa. “It’s no longer just about defence. It’s about reclaiming the narrative.”
Justice James Omotosho, who presides over the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, acknowledged delays in the legal process during the last sitting. He offered an unusual public apology to Kanu, noting the decade-long span of unresolved litigation. The court has since scheduled an accelerated hearing with dates set for April 29, May 2, and May 6.
Legal proceedings resumed after the Supreme Court reversed a previous appellate court decision that had quashed the charges against Kanu. The IPOB leader now faces a recalibrated seven-count terrorism charge, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Among the allegations are inciting violence via radio broadcasts between 2018 and 2021, instigating attacks on security operatives, and illegal importation of radio transmitters. Kanu’s defence maintains that the charges are politically motivated and lack evidentiary foundation.
The new-look defence team is expected to challenge not just the evidence but the credibility of the prolonged detention and procedural conduct of the prosecution.
As Nigeria watches closely, the courtroom is no longer just a place of verdicts — it’s a battleground of public opinion, legal history, and political consequence.
