Federal Court Dismisses All Terrorism Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu

In a stunning and potentially seismic judicial ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has officially dismissed all terrorism charges against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Presiding Judge Justice James Omotosho delivered the landmark verdict today, Thursday, concluding a long-running and politically volatile trial that has been a defining feature of Nigeria’s recent security landscape.

The ruling follows a day of intense drama where Kanu, representing himself, launched a last-minute attempt to stall the judgment by challenging the court’s jurisdiction. However, Justice Omotosho rejected these delay tactics, dismissing a fresh bail application and proceeding to address the consolidated legal and constitutional challenges against the charges.

In the final judgment, the court held that the original accusations lacked substantive evidence and were improperly filed, leading to their outright nullification. The court found that the prosecution’s case was fundamentally flawed and failed to substantiate the terrorism claims beyond reasonable doubt. This decision effectively brings a legal end to the Federal Government’s long-standing effort to prosecute the pro-Biafra activist on these specific charges.

Justice Omotosho did address one of the key legal arguments repeatedly made by Kanu’s defense: the claim that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act had been repealed. The court definitively ruled that the legislation is still in effect, affirming its validity and contradicting the defense’s assertion that charges based on it were invalid due to repeal. However, despite the law’s validity, the court determined that the charges, as applied to Kanu, were unfounded and lacked legal basis.

The verdict is a significant win for Kanu and his supporters, many of whom have consistently argued that the charges were politically motivated. Legal analysts have asserted that the ruling reinforces the integrity of judicial processes in Nigeria, highlighting that the government’s case relied on incomplete and unverified intelligence. The dismissal of the charges is seen by human rights organizations and legal experts as a powerful reminder of the importance of lawful procedures and constitutional rights, even in high-stakes national security cases.

The immediate implications of the ruling are immense. While the dismissal of the charges does not automatically guarantee Kanu’s immediate freedom—as his status regarding his 2021 rearrest and other potential legal issues remain—it removes the core legal foundation for his prolonged detention. The ruling is expected to have a profound impact on the political climate, potentially paving the way for Kanu’s reintegration into political discourse and civil activism, signaling a broader call for Nigeria to reassess its approach to political dissent and national security laws. The government’s next move, which could include an appeal, is now the central focus of national attention.