By Adenike Lawal
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has rejected the Federal Government’s request to resume his trial, insisting that Justice Binta Nyako must recuse herself from the case.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, reiterated this stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter), on January 8, 2025, arguing that Justice Nyako had previously stepped aside on September 24, 2024, after Kanu lost confidence in her impartiality.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court later returned the case to her, deeming her the most suitable to conclude the matter.
Facing seven charges related to treasonable felony and terrorism, Kanu has pleaded not guilty.
His legal troubles date back to his 2015 arrest, his 2017 bail and flight from Nigeria, and his 2021 re-arrest and extradition from Kenya.
Ejimakor insists that Justice Nyako’s recusal remains valid, accusing the prosecution of misleading the court.
Meanwhile, government counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), maintains that the Chief Judge’s directive reinstates her as the trial judge.
With both sides entrenched, the case remains stalled as judicial authorities deliberate on whether Justice Nyako should continue presiding over the high-profile trial.
