Tensions ran high on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the long-running trial of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, resumed with a sharp rebuke from the presiding judge to the Federal Government, POLITICS NIGERIA has reliably gathered.
Frustrated by the prosecution’s sluggish pace and lack of preparedness, the judge did not mince words in warning the government’s legal team that the court would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays.
“You must pick six days within two weeks and present all your witnesses. If you fail to do so, I will strike out your case as weak,” the judge said firmly, prompting murmurs of approval and surprise from those in the packed courtroom.
The latest hearing began with the cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness. But what was expected to be a pivotal session quickly unraveled, as the witness struggled to answer questions directly, often repeating “I don’t know” and offering contradictory statements. With mounting concerns over his credibility, the court discharged the witness.
Matters took a turn for the worse when the prosecution failed to produce its third witness. With visible displeasure, the court adjourned the matter to May 28 and 29, and further to June 6, 16, 18, and 19, 2025.
In a bid to move the trial forward, the judge urged the prosecution team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, to trim down its long list of witnesses. “We cannot continue like this. Reduce your witnesses so this matter can end soon,” he said.
On the defense side, a formidable legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), came prepared. They presented video evidence to question the integrity of the charges against Kanu.
Among the clips shown in court was a controversial statement by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. Though the governor had earlier accused IPOB of orchestrating violence in Orlu, the video showed him suggesting the violence may have been politically motivated. Another video featured DSS Director Oluwatosin Ajayi and retired General T.Y. Danjuma, both urging citizens to take up self-defense. The prosecution’s witness, however, declined to comment on these statements, saying it was not within his role to interpret them.
During a tense exchange, the defense pressed the witness on whether there was any direct evidence linking Kanu to criminal acts. The witness admitted he had never conducted any personal investigations on IPOB members and could not present any reports tying Kanu to violence.
In what appeared to be a further blow to the prosecution’s credibility, the witness also acknowledged that he had not responded to an official letter from the Attorney General’s office and had failed to provide any investigation report to the court.
