ABUJA – Tension hung heavy in the Federal High Court today as Nnamdi Kanu, the fiery leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), made a rare courtroom appearance amid swirling concerns over his deteriorating health. The session, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, quickly adjourned Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial to October 16, allowing time for a contentious medical review by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). But it was Kanu’s counsel, Maxwell Opara, who stole the spotlight with a bold, unfiltered plea to President Bola Tinubu: drop the case to salvage what’s left of his administration.
In a recent video coverage with SYMFONI from 3:00, Opara, a seasoned constitutional lawyer known for his no-nonsense style, didn’t mince words. “This trial isn’t just about Mazi Kanu—it’s a litmus test for the soul of Nigeria,” he thundered, his voice echoing off the wood-paneled walls. Dressed in a crisp white agbada, Opara turned his gaze toward the prosecution bench, then beyond, as if addressing the president himself. “Mr. President, resolving this matter humanely would heal the Southeast’s wounds and shore up your government’s legitimacy. Persecuting a voice for self-determination? That’s the real threat to stability.”
Kanu, looking gaunt and weary in his signature black cap, sat silently through the proceedings, flanked by his bolstered legal team. Recent additions like former Attorney General Kanu Agabi (SAN) and Uchenna Njoku (SAN) signal a ramped-up defense strategy. The 57-year-old IPOB figurehead, detained since his dramatic 2021 rendition from Kenya, faces 15 counts of terrorism, including allegations of inciting violence through sit-at-home orders and Radio Biafra broadcasts. The prosecution closed its case in June after parading five witnesses, but Kanu’s lawyers fired back with a “no-case submission” in July, arguing the evidence is flimsy and politically motivated.
Health dominated the docket. The NMA’s evaluation, ordered last month, has sparked outrage. IPOB slammed it as a “purported report,” claiming it was rushed on September 23 without full disclosure to Kanu’s family. “They promised transparency but delivered shadows,” said Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who witnessed the check-up. Opara echoed the frustration, linking the opacity to broader governance failures. “Tinubu’s team risks alienating millions in the Southeast. Free Kanu, and watch unity bloom; drag this out, and the fractures deepen.”
Outside the courthouse, supporters gathered under a drizzling sky, chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu!” and waving Biafran flags. Abia Governor Alex Otti, a vocal advocate, recently urged Tinubu to intervene, calling the detention a “national embarrassment.” Yet, with a no-case ruling slated for October 10, the clock ticks louder.
As the gavel fell, Opara’s words lingered like smoke. In a nation teetering on ethnic fault lines, Kanu’s fate isn’t just legal—it’s a referendum on Tinubu’s promise of renewal. Will the president listen, or let the embers ignite? For now, the Southeast holds its breath. See, More, Here>>>
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