Abuja Court Moves Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Hearing Forward to New Date

The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted forward the hearing of Nnamdi Kanu’s application for release to September 26, 2025. The matter, which was originally scheduled for October 10, will now come before Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over the main terrorism trial involving the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader.

The trial itself had been set to continue on October 10 with a ruling expected on a no-case submission filed by Kanu’s lawyers after the Federal Government closed its case. However, the urgency of Kanu’s release application, linked to his deteriorating health, has prompted an earlier court date.

Earlier this month, Justice Musa Liman, sitting as a vacation judge, adjourned the hearing on Kanu’s request to be moved to the National Hospital for treatment. His decision came as his tenure as vacation judge expired, coinciding with the end of the judges’ annual break.

In court, Kanu’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, explained that the defence had only received a 37-page counter-affidavit from the government’s lawyers that same morning and needed time to study it. Federal Government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo did not object, noting that his team was prepared but acknowledged the timing issue.

Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, had earlier submitted a 14-paragraph affidavit asserting that the IPOB leader suffers from a life-threatening heart condition that cannot be adequately treated in detention facilities.

Justice Liman, while acknowledging the urgency of the case, expressed doubts about ruling on the matter before his authority as vacation judge lapsed. He directed that the application be reassigned to Justice Omotosho, stressing in his notes that the issue is urgent and should be considered ahead of the next adjourned date of the main trial.

With the new schedule, Kanu’s application for release will now be heard on September 26, two weeks before the court resumes the substantive terrorism trial.