By Sahara Reporters

Copyright saharareporters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has brought forward the court date for the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to address his application for release.

The hearing, initially scheduled for October 10, will now be heard on September 26 before Justice James Omotosho.

The main terrorism trial against Kanu was scheduled to resume on October 10, 2025, when the court was expected to rule on the no-case submission filed by Kanu’s lawyers after the Federal Government had called witnesses, presented evidence, and closed its case against the IPOB leader.

Earlier in September, the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the application filed by Kanu’s lawyers, requesting that their client be transferred to the National Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Justice Musa Liman adjourned the matter as his tenure as a vacation judge had ended, coinciding with the conclusion of the Federal High Court judges’ vacation on the same day.

Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, had filed a 14-paragraph affidavit stating that his brother suffers from a life-threatening heart condition and that the medical facilities where he is currently detained are inadequate for proper treatment.

During the hearing, Uchenna Njoku, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, informed the court that the Federal Government’s lawyers had served a 37-page counter-affidavit earlier that morning, leaving him insufficient time to review it.

Njoku requested additional time to study the document before proceedings could continue. With the judges’ vacation ending that day, Justice Liman’s jurisdiction as a vacation judge was also set to lapse.

Adegboyega Awomolo, lead counsel for the Federal Government, agreed with Njoku, noting that it was unfortunate the matter had not been scheduled earlier, as his team was ready to address it at any time.

In his final remarks, Justice Liman expressed concern over whether he could rule on the matter as a vacation judge given the limited time remaining. He stated that he had agreed to hear the case due to its urgency, emphasizing that it involves serious health concerns that could be a matter of life and death.

The judge directed that the case be returned to the Central Registrar for transfer to Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over the main trial between Nnamdi Kanu and the Federal Government.

Justice Liman also noted in the case file that the matter is urgent and may be scheduled for hearing before the next adjourned date of the main trial.