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FG Files Amended Seven-Count Charge Against Nnamdi Kanu
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The Federal Government has filed an amended seven-count terrorism charge against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu has been in detention since he was brought back from Kenya on June 19, 2021.
The IPOB leader was subsequently re-arraigned on an amended 15-count charge.
On April 8, the trial court struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge. The remaining seven counts were later quashed by the court of appeal on October 13.
Delivering judgment in the appeal, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Hanatu Sankey held that the federal government flouted the Terrorism Act in violation of international conventions and treaties, hence, breaching the rights of the respondent.
The court further held that having illegally and forcefully renditioned the appellant, the trial court is stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try Kanu.
However, the Federal Government is yet to release the IPOB leader.
Instead, it filed an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the appeal court judgment.
It also filed an application seeking to stay the execution of the appellate court’s judgment.
Ruling on the application, the Court of Appeal granted the government’s request.
While the Federal Government’s appeal and a cross-appeal by Kanu is pending before the Supreme Court, the Federal Government has gone back to the trial court to file an amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
The allegations contained in the amended charge are the remaining seven counts earlier sustained by the trial court.
According to the charge, Kanu made a broadcast that was heard across Nigeria, in which he issued a threat that anyone who flouted a sit-at-home order in the south-east, should write his or her will.
The Federal Government submitted that as a result of the threat, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, and petrol stations in the south-east have continued to shut down their businesses, with citizens and vehicular movements grounded.
The Federal Government further alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts made on different dates between 2018 and 2021, incited members of the public to attack Nigerian security personnel and their family members, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 1(2)(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.
It also alleged that Kanu directed members of IPOB “to manufacture bombs”, adding that the defendant had between March and April 2015, “imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisiuzor in Ihiala LGA of Anambra state within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, a radio transmitter known as Tram 50L concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47(2)(a) of Criminal Code Act Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.
Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, has asked parties in the suit to appear on November 14 to address whether or not the federal government can proceed to re-arraign the IPOB leader on the amended charge, despite the October 13 judgment of the court of appeal.
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The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Thursday’s court judgment purporting to remove Senator David Mark’s leadership of the party, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the timing of the judgment was telling. It came barely a day after a mammoth crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome him and attend the launch of the ADC campaign.
“The people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in our promise to make life affordable again. What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward.
“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries. Nigerians across the country are suffering under this government, and they deserve a leader with a credible plan to make life affordable again.
“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country. But the ruling party’s greatest miscalculation is to assume that my support ends in the North. What we saw in Sokoto, what we will see in Kebbi and across the country, is the strength of a national movement.”
Atiku said the judgment also raises serious legal concerns.
“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. The court upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved the substantive issues in their favour. Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal.”
Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding and not to let the judgment weaken the momentum generated in Sokoto. The campaign train is already in Kebbi and will continue across the country.
“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis. We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. There is no shaking.”
President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate to approve the implementation of an external borrowing plan of $7.7 billion.
At an exchange rate of N1,400 to the dollar, the money amounts to about N10.79 trillion
The President said the funds are to part-finance the N20.2 trillion budget deficit.
The new request, according to the Senate President, replaces the $20.52 billion loan request presented last week.
The request has been referred to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative action.
Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by reaching their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, following a commanding 3-1 win over Brazil in their semi-final encounter in Morocco.
After a goalless first half, the Nigerians stepped up after the break, scoring three times to put the contest beyond Brazil before conceding a late consolation goal.
Queen Joseph broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, turning home Oluwakemi Adegubyi’s assist to put the Flamingos ahead.
Nigeria doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Awawu Bashiru, who finished off a pass from Joseph, before completing her brace nine minutes later. This time, Bashiru converted Oluebube Umejiaku’s delivery to give the Flamingos a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Brazil managed to reduce the deficit in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, who was set up by Yasmin Queiroz, but the late strike did little to change the outcome as Nigeria held on for a memorable victory.
The result takes the Flamingos into their maiden final at the tournament, where they will face Japan, who defeated defending champions North Korea in the other semi-final.
Nigeria’s qualification for the final represents a remarkable recovery after their campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Poland. They bounced back with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, courtesy of goals from Oluwakemi Adegubyi and Precious Oscar, before producing one of their most impressive performances to defeat North Korea 3-1.
That victory was particularly significant, as it ended North Korea’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition. Adegubyi, Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf were on target for Nigeria.
The Flamingos finished second in Group B with six points, having scored six goals and conceded four in three matches, before stepping up their campaign in the knockout rounds.
They began their journey through the last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Mexico. Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scored in either half, while Emily Delgado’s late effort proved insufficient to prevent the Mexicans from exiting the competition.
Nigeria then secured a place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Venezuela. Azeezat Oduntan converted an 89th-minute penalty to settle the quarter-final and set up the last-four meeting with Brazil.
The achievement takes the team beyond their previous best finish at the tournament — third place in 2022 — when they defeated Germany on penalties to claim the bronze medal.
The Flamingos had also arrived in Morocco in impressive form, having swept to the WAFU B U-17 title with a perfect record of five wins from five matches. They scored 17 goals and conceded just once during the regional competition.
Now, with Brazil behind them and Japan standing between them and the title, the Flamingos have an opportunity to crown their historic campaign with Nigeria’s first U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
