Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash all the charges against him by the Nigerian Government.

Kanu made the appeal in a fresh motion he filed before the court.

He is also seeking his immediate release from detention.

The new application was filed days after the court adjourned for final written address from both the prosecution and the defendant.

Kanu had at the last court appearance sacked all his lawyers, and started defending himself.

In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”

The IPOB leader filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.

Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.

Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in FRN v. Kanu (SC/CR/1361/2022), he argued that lower courts are bound to take judicial notice of repealed laws under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, adding that failure to do so renders all proceedings void.

Kanu also contended that the counts against him were allegedly committed in Kenya, in violation of Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the TPPA 2022, which requires validation by a Kenyan court before such acts can be tried in Nigeria.

He said this omission nullifies the court’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and breaches Article 7(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He further maintained that under Sections 1(3) and 36(12) of the Constitution, any law or judicial act inconsistent with the Constitution is void.

He cited previous court decisions such as Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) 1 All NLR 400 and FRN v. Ifegwu (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt 842) 113, where convictions based on non-existent laws were nullified.

Kanu urged the court to direct the prosecution to respond to his motion strictly on points of law within three days and to deliver a ruling on or before November 4, 2025.

He stated that his application raises only constitutional and legal questions derived from existing laws and therefore does not require an affidavit.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has demanded a retraction and apology from PUNCH and Daily Times newspapers over an alleged coup rumor against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commission’s legal counsel, ADEDIPE AND ADEDIPE Legal Practitioners, issued a strongly worded letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, demanding that PUNCH, Daily Times, and others retract the offensive and false publication and provide an unreserved public apology.

According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Adedipe stated that the report “falsely alleged that Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu.

“The publication further claimed, without any factual or evidential basis, that Dr. Ogbuku transferred funds from NDDC contracts to finance an alleged coup plot. These allegations are entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”

In the letter, it was stated that “Dr. Ogbuku categorically denies these baseless claims. He has not been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection with any alleged coup plot or financial misconduct. The publication represents a gross violation of journalistic ethics, as no attempt was made to contact or verify the story with him or the NDDC prior to its release.

“This reckless and damaging report has caused Dr. Ogbuku and his family severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm. Friends, associates, and colleagues have inundated him with calls expressing shock and concern over the false claims.

“Accordingly, through his legal representatives, Dr. Ogbuku has demanded the following from PUNCH Newspaper and its editor, Awwal Owolabi:

1. Immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all their news platforms; and

2. Publication of a written apology in at least four (4) national newspapers and five (5) consecutive editions of PUNCH Newspaper, including all associated online and social media platforms.

“Failure to comply with these demands within seven (7) days of receiving this legal notice will compel Dr. Ogbuku to initiate both civil and criminal proceedings against the publication and its editors, pursuant to the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The NDDC reiterates its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region, the peace and stability of Nigeria, and upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.

The NDDC Legal Counsel stated: “We urge members of the public to disregard the aforementioned false report in its entirety and rely only on verified information from the Commission’s official communication channels.”

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government is currently reviewing citizenship applications from 170 foreign nationals.

The minister made the announcement on X ‘formerly known as Twitter’ through his social media handle @Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo at midnight. Olubunmi said the Citizenship Advisory Committee was responsible for reviewing and recommending citizenship applications for President Bola Tinubu’s approval.

“We understand that the exercise is a test of our integrity as leaders and we will ensure to uphold the trust placed on us by the nation.

“Citizenship of the biggest black nation on earth is a valuable asset that requires careful consideration.

“We hereby assure Nigerians that we will prioritise integrity and proven character above all else,” he said.

The minister stated that the committee comprised top officials from key government bodies: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of State Security, and Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Our government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to do everything to make our beloved country a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all,” he said.