Court orders Nnamdi Kanu to open defence after losing no-case submission

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Friday, September 26, 2025, held that the Department of State Services (DSS) has made out a prima facie case against Kanu for him to enter his defence in the alleged terrorism trial.

Justice Omotosho held that the evidence presented by the prosecution through its five witnesses stated that there was a need for the IPOB leader to provide some explanations for the offences with which he was charged.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter until October 8 for the hearing of the report of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Justice Omotosho had earlier ordered the NMA to set up a panel of medical experts to ascertain Kanu’s health status.

Justice Omotosho also directed the association to submit the independent medical report to the court within eight days from the date of the ruling.

“This court hereby directed the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute an investigating committee,” the judge declared.

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The judge ordered the panel, which he said should be between eight to 10 members, to investigate the DSS facility and consider if it would be suitable to take care of Kanu’s health.

He said the panel should consider whether Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be moved to the National Hospital for urgent medical attention if the committee considered the DSS facility to be inefficient.

He directed that the panel should consider if Kanu‘s health status is fit to face the trial.

Justice Omotosho also ordered that the Chief Medical Director of Abuja National Hospital or his representative must be a member of the panel.

The judge added: “The report of this panel set up by the president of NMA shall be signed by the chairman and secretary of the committee.

“This report shall be filed within eight days of this ruling.”

The Star