Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to suspend the Federal High Court’s scheduled ruling in his terrorism case. He filed a motion to stop the High Court from delivering judgment, arguing that the charges against him are based on a repealed terrorism law and that his constitutional rights have been violated in the trial process.
Details of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal Court Motion
• Kanu is contesting the Federal High Court’s decision that dismissed his no-case submission and ordered him to defend the terrorism charges.
• He argues that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he is charged had been repealed, making the charges invalid.
• Kanu contends the High Court did not properly consider jurisdiction and constitutional issues before dismissing his no-case submission.
• He claims the court foreclosed his right to adequately defend himself by refusing to hear multiple witnesses and ignoring objections he raised on the validity of certain counts in the charges.
• If the High Court ruling goes forward before the appeal is heard, Kanu fears an unlawful conviction could occur, rendering his appeal a mere academic exercise.
Context of the Case
• Judgment delivery was scheduled for November 20, 2025, by Federal High Court Justice James Kolawole Omotosho.
• Kanu’s motion claims the High Court did not evaluate prosecution evidence thoroughly and neglected to address constitutional and jurisdictional questions.
• The motion also raises that a previous Supreme Court ruling had set aside portions of the terrorism charges as invalid.
• Kanu is currently detained by the Department of State Services in Abuja.
This motion reflects Kanu’s legal strategy to halt proceedings in the trial until the appeal court addresses his contentions on the legal basis of the prosecution.
