Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has categorically rejected the federal government’s efforts to establish a date for his trial, which has been reignited after Judge Binta Nyako stepped aside from the case.
This event transpired on September 24 when Kanu expressed doubts about Nyako’s ability to impartially conduct the proceedings, prompting her voluntary withdrawal.
Following this, Chief Judge John Tsoho of the federal high court returned the case file to Judge Nyako, indicating that any request for her recusal must be formally made through a motion on notice.
On December 5, the prosecution, led by lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo, sought the court’s guidance on scheduling a new trial date for Kanu. However, Kanu’s attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, countered this request in a letter dated December 9, reaffirming that the judge’s recusal from September 24 remains effective and has not been annulled by any further court actions.
Ejimakor highlighted the necessity of honoring the existing order, arguing that any attempt to move forward with the trial under the current conditions is fundamentally flawed and could result in legal impropriety for the court.
In his communication, Ejimakor criticized the prosecution’s request as misguided and warned that it could entangle the court in an undesirable jurisdictional and constitutional predicament. Kanu’s defense team remains resolute in their position that the judge’s recusal ruling is binding and must be upheld.
