As the Federal High Court in Abuja prepares to deliver judgment on November 20, 2025, in the long-running terrorism trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the embattled separatist has been honoured with a “Freedom Fighter” award by a coalition of pan-Igbo associations.
The award, titled “Most Determined Freedom Fighter of All Times,” was presented by Eze Okoro Justus Chinaemezu Osinachi, representing the National Association of Nze na Ozo Council of Nigeria, in recognition of what the group described as Kanu’s “selfless dedication to the growth, unity, and development of Ndigbo.”
The honour, presented in absentia, was received on Kanu’s behalf by his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, during a brief ceremony attended by members of several Igbo traditional and cultural organisations.
The award comes just days after Justice James Omotosho fixed November 20 as the date for judgment in Kanu’s trial, which has dragged on for years and attracted both national and international attention.
Nnamdi Kanu, who founded IPOB in 2012, has been at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most controversial legal battles. He faces charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, among others, filed by the Federal Government.
The IPOB leader was first arrested in 2015 but granted bail in 2017. He fled the country after his home in Abia State was invaded by soldiers during Operation Python Dance. In June 2021, Kanu was re-arrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria under disputed circumstances, sparking criticism from his supporters and human rights groups.
Since then, his trial has been marked by frequent adjournments, legal arguments, and debates over his detention conditions.
Recently, Kanu and his defence team argued that the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, under which he was charged, has been repealed by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. They maintained that continuing to prosecute him under a non-existent law would violate his constitutional rights.
Kanu was quoted as saying after the judgment date was fixed, “I cannot be convicted under a law that no longer exists.”
In the midst of the legal proceedings, IPOB issued a strong statement rejecting reports that Kanu had forfeited his right to defence in court.
The group, through its spokesperson Emma Powerful, described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that they do not reflect what actually transpired during the court session.
“Let the truth be clear: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not forfeited anything. What is happening in court has raised serious legal questions that need to be addressed within the limits of the law,” IPOB said.
The group reiterated that its leader remains committed to a fair and lawful trial, and urged its members and the general public to remain calm.
“The right to fair hearing is fundamental to every citizen. Any process that overlooks this principle does not serve justice,” the statement added.
IPOB further cited Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “a person shall not be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined, and the penalty is prescribed in a written law.”
The group said this constitutional provision supports Kanu’s argument that his trial cannot proceed under a law that has been repealed.
However, the Nigerian government, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adegboyega Awolowo, insists that Kanu still has a case to answer.
The prosecution has urged the court to convict the IPOB leader, maintaining that the charges were properly filed and that the new law does not invalidate the ongoing proceedings.
Government lawyers argue that Kanu’s actions, including his broadcasts and activities of IPOB members, have contributed to violence and insecurity in the South-East region, leading to the deaths of civilians, security officers, and attacks on public infrastructure.
Kanu’s legal team, on the other hand, insists that he has never encouraged violence and that IPOB remains a non-violent self-determination movement seeking the peaceful restoration of Biafra.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) emerged as a movement advocating for the independence of the South-East region, citing alleged marginalisation of the Igbo people since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
The group, under Kanu’s leadership, established the Radio Biafra platform, which broadcasts its messages across Nigeria and abroad. While IPOB describes itself as peaceful, the Nigerian government has accused it of engaging in violent acts and in 2017 designated the group as a terrorist organisation—a label IPOB continues to reject.
The conflict between IPOB and the Nigerian state has resulted in numerous clashes, arrests, and a series of “sit-at-home” protests in the South-East, often leading to economic disruption and loss of lives.
Kanu remains a polarising figure: to his supporters, he is a freedom fighter and defender of Igbo rights; to his critics, he is a separatist whose rhetoric has contributed to instability in the region.
The decision by the National Association of Nze na Ozo Council of Nigeria to honour Kanu reflects the deep divisions and emotions surrounding his case. The traditional council said the award was not a political statement but a recognition of his “unwavering spirit and courage in defending the interests of Ndigbo.”
At the award ceremony, community leaders called for peaceful resolution of the crisis and urged the government to handle Kanu’s trial with fairness and respect for due process.
Eze Osinachi, who presented the award, said, “Ndigbo are peace-loving people. Our hope is that justice will be served in a way that brings peace, not more division. We honour Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because we believe in his passion for the upliftment of our people.”
As the November 20 judgment day approaches, expectations are high. Supporters of Kanu across Nigeria and in the diaspora are closely monitoring the case, hoping for his release.
In many South-East communities, discussions about the case dominate public debates, with some residents expressing optimism and others fearing that any outcome could trigger fresh tensions.
As the countdown to November 20 continues, Nnamdi Kanu’s supporters view the “Freedom Fighter” award as symbolic — a recognition of his endurance and influence in Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
