Nnamdi Kanu Rejects Trial Before Nyako’s Court, Case Adjourned Indefinitely

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday, February, 10, 2025, insisted on not standing trial before Justice  Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Source reports that Kanu ,who has been standing trial on alleged terrorism related charges since 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria, had on September, 24, 2024, urged the Judge to recuse herself from the case.

The IPOB leader cited lack of confidence in the ability of Justice Nyako to be fair in her handling of the matter.

Consequently, Justice Nyako opted to recuse herself from further adjudicating in the matter.

But in a sudden turn of events,  the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, directed the case file to be returned to Justice Nyako, citing improper application for the recusal request  as a major reason.

According to Justice Tsoho, Nnamdi’s application requesting for a recusal has to be written and formally filed before being considered.

At the resumed hearing on Monday,  Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lead Counsel, reiterated the IPOB  leader’s earlier objection to being tried by Justice Nyako .

Ealier, the prosecution Counsel  Adegboyega Awomolo, had indicated his readiness for the commencement of the day’s proceedings.

Ejimakor, however, informed that his client has not shifted grounds on his decision not to continue standing trial before Justice Nyako.

“The defendant (Kanu) is still asking that your lordship recuse herself from this matter”, Kanu’s lawyer stated

Justice Nyako at this point reminded Kanu and his legal team the position of the Chief Judge who had earlier insisted on the filing of a written application to that effect.

Consequently, she ordered the defence team to file a written  application requesting her to recuse herself from the case.

Explaining, briefly what happened in Court in a post on X, Ejimakor said:

“Today’s ‘hearing’ of Onyendu MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s case is concluded. We stood our ground and told the Judge that she no longer possesses jurisdiction over MNK & that we appeared ‘under protest’. Onyendu took the stage & spoke eloquently.  Case adjourned sine die (indefinitely)”