A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, February 10, 2025, adjourned the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, indefinitely.
Justice Binta Nyako announced this after Kanu and his counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, insisted that the judge no longer has jurisdiction to preside over the case following her earlier recusal.
The IPOB leader had directly told the judge that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.
Justice Nyako had, on September 24, 2024, recused (withdrew) herself from the trial of Kanu after an oral application from the defence and the case file was transferred to the Chief Judge.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, sent Kanu’s case file back to Justice Nyako for adjudication, insisting that a formal application must be made by the defence before the recusal could be accepted.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Nyako said the chief judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her.
She asked the defence team led by Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.
South-East senators meet AGF for Kanu’s release
Addressing the court, a furious Kanu questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako, saying all that the judge said was meaningless to him.
He said he does not recognise the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako over him.
The IPOB leader said he was only in court because of the respect he has for the rule of law, adding that the judge had previously recused herself from the case.
Kanu said he was not happy with the decision of the chief judge who returned the case to Justice Nyako, insisting that the prosecution cannot prosecute him.
The IPOB leader insisted that Justice Nyako is biased over his case and should not preside over his case.
Kanu stressed that poor knowledge of the court is affecting Nigeria.
Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and tried for alleged terrorism.
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