Published on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | By Legal Linkz News Desk
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, refused to open his defence before the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that the terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Federal Government lack any legal foundation under Nigerian law.
Kanu, who stunned the court by dismissing his legal team and electing to represent himself, maintained that after carefully reviewing his case file, he found no valid charge warranting a defence.
Addressing the presiding judge, Kanu declared, “Join me in praising God. I have gone through my case file, and there is no charge against me.”
He further argued that the alleged offences for which he is being prosecuted do not exist under any extant Nigerian law. “There is no law in this country upon which the prosecution can predicate the charges against me. If there’s any, let my Lord read it out to me,” Kanu stated.
The IPOB leader told the court that he should not be compelled to enter a defence for “non-existent charges,” urging the judge to either dismiss the case or grant him immediate bail.
“So, I should not enter any defence in a charge that does not exist under any law in Nigeria. I urge you to release me today or grant me bail,” he added.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in June 2021, is facing multiple counts bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitement against the Nigerian state.
His trial has continued to draw national and international attention, with several human rights groups calling for due process, while his supporters insist that his continued detention violates court orders previously directing his release.
The court is expected to rule on the next line of action following Kanu’s decision to challenge the validity of the charges rather than proceed with his defence.
