Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), pleaded not guilty to terrorism and treason charges on Friday as his trial resumed under a fourth judge.
Kanu, a British citizen, was first arrested in 2015 but fled Nigeria while on bail in 2017. He was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he faces seven terrorism-related charges.
The case is now being overseen by Judge James Omotosho, who scheduled trial sessions for April 29, May 2, and May 6.
Kanu’s legal proceedings have faced multiple delays, judge recusals, and two unsuccessful bail applications. His legal team has sought negotiations with the Nigerian government to resolve the case.
His new lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, apologized to former presiding judge Binta Nyako—who recently stepped down—as well as to prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo and fellow defense lawyer Alloy Ejimakor for past courtroom disputes involving Kanu.
IPOB, which advocates for the independence of southeastern Nigeria—home to the Igbo ethnic group—has been designated a terrorist organization by Nigerian authorities. The secessionist movement draws historical parallels to the 1967–1970 Biafran War, which resulted in over a million deaths.