Nnamdi Kanu’s Threat to Break Up Nigeria Was Deliberate, Not Mere Boast – FG Tells Court

The Federal Government has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu’s threat to break up Nigeria and declare a Republic of Biafra was a deliberate and dangerous act, not an empty boast as claimed by the IPOB leader.

Arguing against a no-case submission filed by Kanu, the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), insisted that Kanu’s public broadcast on Radio Biafra, where he declared his intention to split the country, had serious national security implications.

Awomolo urged Justice James Omotosho to dismiss Kanu’s application, emphasizing that the broadcast caused fear across the country and incited violence against security agents. He alleged that Kanu directed his followers to attack police officers and their families, resulting in the deaths of over 170 security personnel.

“The defendant made a broadcast where he claimed leadership of a proscribed group, IPOB, and made inciting statements with the aim of bringing Nigeria to a standstill,” Awomolo stated. “Such threats are prohibited under Nigerian law, and the consequences cannot be dismissed as mere boasting.”

He argued that Kanu should be ordered to enter his defence in the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him.

In response, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the charges, maintaining that no witnesses testified to being incited by Kanu, nor was any investigation report presented to support the terrorism allegations.

Agabi noted that all five witnesses called by the prosecution were DSS operatives whose involvement was limited to obtaining Kanu’s statements. He stressed that the charges had been amended eight times without credible evidence linking Kanu to any acts of terrorism.

Agabi also argued that Kanu’s comments were expressions of self-defence in the face of violence, a constitutional right echoed by other Nigerians, including General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd). He further condemned Kanu’s prolonged solitary confinement, calling it a violation of international human rights standards.

He urged the court to hold that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Kanu.

Justice Omotosho reserved ruling on the no-case submission until October 10.