Timeline of Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, trial

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was born on September 25, 1967. He hails from Isiama Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State.

Here is a timeline of Kanu’s arrest and trial:

 October 14, 2015

Kanu was arrested in Lagos, and was detained for more than a year.

He was arraigned by the Federal Government on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

November 23, 2015

Kanu was arraigned at the Abuja Magistrate Court for charges of “criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organisation” by the Department of State Services (DSS).

April 28, 2017

Kanu was released from detention on bail. He was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

March 28, 2019

Justice Binta Nyako revoked the bail that was granted to Kanu on health grounds and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

September 2017

Kanu disappeared from public radar after his home was raided by the military.

He reportedly fled the country after the invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu near Umuahia, Abia State, during the military Operation Python Dance II staged to quell the agitation for the Biafra Republic in September 2017.

September 20, 2017

The Federal Government obtained a court order to designate IPOB a terrorist group and to proscribe it.

February 19, 2018

The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that Kanu, be separately tried from the rest of his co-defendants.

He was facing a five-count treasonable felony charge alongside four other pro-Biafra agitators – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie.

November 26, 2020

A Federal High Court in Abuja commenced Kanu’s trial, in his absence. Five prosecution witnesses were provided to testify against Kanu.

January 27, 2021

The Federal High Court Abuja continued the trial of Kanu. The matter was initially fixed for hearing on Nov. 26, but when it was called, both Kanu and his counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor were absent in court.

The notice was served on the federal government’s prosecution team and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the defendant’s counsel.

June 27, 2021

The Federal Government in collaboration with security agencies apprehended and brought Kanu back to Nigeria.

July 26, 2021

The Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered that Kanu be remanded in the DSS custody pending trial.