Lawyer Insists Nnamdi Kanu Has Right to Challenge Court’s Authority in Ongoing Trial

By Diafa Doubra,

Human rights lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, has defended the decision of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to file a fresh objection in his ongoing trial, describing it as a legitimate legal step under Nigerian law.

Marshal emphasized that Kanu’s new application challenges the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to continue hearing the case, noting that every defendant reserves the right to question the authority of a court if there are valid legal grounds. He added that such objections are not an attempt to delay proceedings but part of due process.

The lawyer, who represents Kanu, accused the government of politicizing the trial, saying it has “moved beyond a purely legal issue to one with deep political undertones.” He urged the judiciary to remain impartial and uphold constitutional safeguards that guarantee fair hearing and justice.

Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in custody since his controversial re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021. His continued detention and trial have continued to spark debates about human rights, political bias, and regional tensions in Nigeria.