The Federal High Court in Abuja will today deliver its long-awaited judgment in the alleged terrorism trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, with proceedings approved for live television broadcast.
The court registrar confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) early Thursday, stating that all arrangements had been finalized for nationwide transmission.
By 8 a.m., cameramen and technical crews from major television stations — NTA, Channels TV, AIT, and TVC — were already stationed inside the courtroom, setting up equipment for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched judicial events of the year.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, had earlier fixed November 20, 2025, as the judgment date after ruling that Kanu’s legal team had forfeited their right to present a defence.
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Justice Omotosho held that Kanu had been given six days to open his defence but chose not to utilise the opportunity. According to the judge, while he would have permitted an extension, Kanu’s refusal to proceed meant he could not later argue that his constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated.
Kanu, who has been in custody for several years following his re-arrest in 2021, faces terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government. The case has generated widespread national and international interest, with today’s judgment expected to spark significant political and social reactions.
Security around the Federal High Court premises has been heightened, with heavy deployment of personnel ahead of the verdict.