The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resumed on Friday with an unexpected apology from the defendant’s legal team.
  
Shortly after appearances were taken, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), addressed the Federal High Court in Abuja, apologising on behalf of his client. 
 
Agabi admitted that Kanu had been angry for a long time and acknowledged that his past remarks, particularly against Justice Binta Nyako, were unjustified.  He also apologised to the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), as well as to his own legal team, whom Kanu had previously criticised.
 
“He is a good man, but we all don’t have the same perspectives. There must be room for errors, and we should strive to save rather than destroy,” Agabi pleaded.
 
In response, the prosecution accepted the apology, with Awomolo acknowledging the emotions and tension surrounding the case. He assured the court of his team’s commitment to ensuring an expeditious trial.
 
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, also weighed in, noting that the prolonged legal battle, which began in 2015, had undoubtedly taken a toll on Kanu. 
 
“When he was first arraigned, he was 47. Now, he is 57 and still uncertain about his fate. This may have led him to make some regrettable statements,” Omotosho said, while also tendering an apology on Kanu’s behalf to the prosecution.
 
Following this, the seven-count charge against Kanu was read out, to which he pleaded not guilty. The prosecution confirmed its readiness to proceed with the trial, a position the defence team did not object to.
 
Acknowledging the protracted nature of the case, Justice Omotosho granted an accelerated hearing.  The trial was adjourned to April 29, May 2, and May 6 for substantive proceedings.
 
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4, 2025, and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Nyako to Justice Omotosho.
 
The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge after alleging bias.
 
Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.  The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.
 
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has been elevated to Appeal Court and Justice Tsoho (before becoming the CJ) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges. Unlike the previous proceedings, Kanu was calm throughout the re-arraignment on Friday.