The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally asked Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja to step down from presiding over his case.
Kanu expressed his loss of confidence in the court and accused Justice Nyako of failing to obey previous Supreme Court orders related to his trial.
During the latest hearing, Kanu addressed the court, insisting that Justice Nyako recuse herself from the trial, citing bias and her refusal to follow the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the case’s jurisdiction.
He referred to a section of the Supreme Court ruling that raised concerns about potential bias against Justice Nyako.
In response, Justice Nyako agreed to Kanu’s request, stating that she had no issue with stepping down from the case, stating she would send the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment and other necessary actions.
The proceedings took a tense turn when Kanu sharply instructed his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, to remain seated while he personally addressed the judge from the dock.
The situation arose after Kanu cited the Supreme Court’s ruling, which questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal Court over the alleged broadcasts for which he is being tried.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, expressed readiness to proceed with the trial.
However, the trial could not continue under the current circumstances following Kanu’s request for recusal.
Nnamdi Kanu, who was rearrested by the Nigerian government in Kenya in 2021, faces terrorism charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Despite this, Justice Nyako had previously denied his bail request, citing his previous violation of bail conditions. Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as ordered by the court.
