By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, June 19, 2025, formally closed its case in the ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The IPOB leader is standing trial before Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and other related offences.
He has been standing trial since 2021, after being arrested in Kenya, and brought back to Nigeria.
His trial has, so far, elicited much interest both within and outside the country, with not a few calling for a political resolution of the situation.
The prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, announced its decision to close the case, during Thursday’s court sitting after leading its fifth witness in evidence against the IPOB leader.
Consequent upon the closure of its case, the defence team led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that it will be filing a no-case-submission in response to the charges filed by the prosecution.
Agabi, a former Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, argued that the position of the defence team is premised on the fact that the prosecution has not established enough grounds for the defendant to enter a formal defence.
Justice Omotosho ,after listening to the defence team, granted it 14 days within which to file its written address on the no-case submission.
In the same vein, the court granted the prosecution 14days within which to respond to the defendant’s no case submission.
The Court ,thereafter, adjourned to July 18, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.
The Source reports that if the defendant’s no-case -submission is upheld by the court ,then Mazi Kanu will work away a free man unless the Federal Government appeals.
However, if the no case plea fails ,the defendant is expected to formally file his response to the charges by the prosecution for the continuation of trials.
“Today (Thursday June 19,2025) the Federal Republic of Nigeria closed its case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The Court granted the defence 14 days to file its written address on a no-case submission ,and 14 days for the prosecution to respond.
“The court then adjourned to 18th July 2025 .Thank you for your support”, Alloy Ejimakor one of the defence lawyers, stated on his official site .
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