IPOB Leader Files Application at the Court of Appeal For a Stay of Further Proceedings

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has filed an application at the Court of Appeal, praying for a stay of further proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho of Abuja Federal High Court. In the motion, Kanu urged the Appeal Court to stay delivery of judgment scheduled for November 20, 2025, pending the determination of the appeal. He filed the motion on notice pursuant to section 36(1) of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees that in the determination of one's civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against a government or authority, a person is entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court or other tribunal. This right ensures a just legal process, preventing unfair judgments by an unbiased body. Plans by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to hold a national convention in the next 48 hours seem to have suffered another setback, as a Federal High Court in Abuja has again restrained it from holding its National Convention scheduled to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the Convention, where national officers are expected to be elected. The court gave the order while delivering a ruling in an application brought by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.