Nigerian Government Argues Nnamdi Kanu’s Secession Threat Was “Deliberate” in Court Hearing

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Federal Government has asserted in court that Nnamdi Kanu’s threats to break up the country and establish a Republic of Biafra were “deliberate” and not mere boasts. The government made this argument at the Federal High Court in Abuja during its response to a “no-case” submission by the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Government lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho on Friday, that Mr. Kanu, in a broadcast on Biafra Radio, openly declared his intention to break up Nigeria, causing “Nigerians to live in great fears.” Mr. Awomolo urged the court to reject Mr. Kanu’s claim that he has no case to answer in the seven-count terrorism charges against him, arguing that threatening to break up Nigeria constitutes a “fundamental security issue” to the nation.

The prosecution further alleged that Mr. Kanu directed his followers in the broadcast to target and kill police officers and their families, claiming that over 170 security agents were killed shortly after this broadcast. Mr. Awomolo emphasized that Nigerian law prohibits words capable of inducing perpetual fear or threatening the nation’s stability, insisting that the aim was to create Biafra, not merely to boast, and that such boasts carry consequences.

However, Mr. Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, challenged the prosecution, arguing that no witness was called to testify about being incited to violence by Mr. Kanu. He pointed out that the five Department of State Services (DSS) operatives who testified admitted their roles were limited to obtaining statements from Mr. Kanu, with no investigation into the terrorism allegations presented to the court. Mr. Agabi also noted that the charges against Mr. Kanu had been amended eight times without any witness testifying to direct incitement to violence.

Mr. Agabi maintained that Mr. Kanu was merely asking people to defend themselves against “wanting killings,” and that his threat to “bring the world down” was a “mere boasting” that should not be used to justify terrorism offences. He also criticised Mr. Kanu’s solitary confinement for the past 10 years, alleging it violates international law.

Justice Omotosho, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the case until October 10 for a ruling on the “no-case” application.