EXCLUSIVE: This Matter Must End by May 8” — Judge Declares as Nnamdi Kanu’s 10-Year Legal Saga Nears Crucial Verdict

Justice James Omotosho has declared that the prolonged legal proceedings involving detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must come to a final conclusion no later than May 8, 2025. The fiery declaration came during a court session at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, reigniting nationwide anticipation surrounding one of Nigeria’s most polarizing legal battles.

“This matter must come to a conclusion by the 8th of May 2025. It has lingered for 10 years, and I’m not going to stew to it more,” Justice Omotosho stated. “We are going to give account of our actions here on Earth when we die—I want to give a good account.” His statement has since gone viral, energizing both Kanu’s supporters and observers of Nigeria’s justice system.

The court has now been adjourned to May 6th, 7th, and 8th for final arguments and potential rulings. The judge made it clear that the judiciary must uphold its responsibility without fear or favor. “Justice cannot be stalled indefinitely,” he said, adding that any further delay would be unacceptable in a case that has tested the legal and political fabric of the country.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in and out of court since his initial arrest in 2015. His ongoing prosecution over charges including treasonable felony and terrorism has sparked widespread protests, international advocacy, and heated national debate over self-determination and government accountability.

Despite being granted bail in 2017, Kanu’s re-arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria in 2021 reignited fresh waves of tension in the South-East. His legal team has repeatedly accused the federal government of disobeying court orders, while the government insists that his actions threaten national security.

Human rights groups, traditional leaders, and political actors across Nigeria have weighed in over the years, with some calling for political solutions and others urging the courts to assert their independence. Justice Omotosho’s declaration appears to signal a judicial turning point, one that could shape the future of separatist movements and government opposition.

As the nation watches closely, the dates of May 6th to 8th have now been dubbed “Judgment Week” by many on social media. Whether the court rules for release, further detention, or a fresh direction, one thing is certain—the echoes of this verdict will reverberate far beyond the courtroom.