The Courtroom Chess of Nnamdi Kanu — Law, Power, and a Nation on Trial
The drama that unfolded at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on November 4, 2025, was not just another legal session — it was a masterclass in constitutional confrontation. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stood before Justice James Omotosho and, once again, turned the courtroom into a battlefield of intellect, law, and political symbolism.
Representing himself, Kanu argued with precision that “there is no charge before this court.” He invoked Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution a clause that forbids trial for any offence not defined in written law. His bold insistence that the charges against him “no longer exist in Nigerian statutes” exposed, once again, the long shadow of procedural and constitutional doubt hanging over his case.
The prosecution, led by Chief Awomolo (SAN), appeared unprepared for Kanu’s direct legal assault. When challenged to cite the law allegedly violated, none was produced. The courtroom fell silent a silence that symbolized something deeper: the tension between state power and legal legitimacy.
Kanu’s reading of the Supreme Court judgment that struck out “Count 15” of his earlier indictment was not mere drama; it was a direct reminder that even in politically charged cases, the rule of law must remain supreme. Yet, the court’s refusal to rule immediately or acknowledge his motion leaves the impression of a system unwilling to confront its own contradictions.
As the trial continues today, Nigerians and the world watch closely. Whether one views Kanu as a freedom fighter or a lawbreaker, the truth is this: the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary now stands on trial tested between justice and political convenience.
