Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has officially recused herself from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following a dramatic outburst in the courtroom. Kanu, facing terrorism charges from the federal government, openly declared that he no longer had confidence in the judge, prompting her to withdraw from the case.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, tension escalated when Kanu suddenly rose from the dock, interrupting his lawyer, Aloy Ejimako, and insisted on addressing the court directly. Amid the uproar, Kanu announced that he did not trust Justice Nyako and demanded her immediate withdrawal from the case.
Despite objections from federal government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who argued that the trial’s continuation was supported by a Supreme Court ruling, Justice Nyako ultimately chose to step down. She expressed her preference for another judge to take over the trial, stating that she would not proceed in light of Kanu’s lack of confidence in her handling of the case.
Justice Nyako then ordered the case file to be returned to Chief Judge John Tsoho of the Federal High Court for reassignment to a different judge. The decision marks a significant turn in the long-standing legal battle between the federal government and the IPOB leader.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), was promptly returned to detention following the proceedings. His legal team, along with supporters, continues to challenge the legitimacy of the charges, while the reassignment of the case to a new judge could lead to further legal twists.
