The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resumed on Monday before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court, after a series of legal disputes delayed proceedings.
Kanu’s trial had been halted when Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024. The IPOB leader directly expressed his lack of confidence in Nyako’s handling of the trial.
However, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, later returned the case file to Justice Nyako, ruling that Kanu’s recusal request must be formally presented to the court via a motion on notice.
In response, on December 5, 2024, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo formally requested the court to set a date for trial. The defence, led by Aloy Ejimakor, opposed this in a letter dated December 9, 2024, reaffirming that Justice Nyako’s recusal was still valid. Ejimakor further requested that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja was willing to preside over it, though this request was not granted.
At Monday’s resumed hearing, Justice Nyako addressed the ongoing dispute, stating that the Chief Judge had not accepted her recusal and had instead referred the case back to her. She instructed the defence to submit a formal written application if they still insisted on her recusal.
Prosecution counsel Awomolo, however, reiterated that they were ready to proceed with the trial, with witnesses prepared to testify.
The legal battle continues as Kanu’s trial progresses amidst tensions over judicial authority and procedural disputes.
