Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called for his case to be moved to the south-east if no judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, apart from Justice Binta Nyako, is willing to preside over it.
Kanu’s request was made public in a statement on Wednesday by his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, following a routine meeting with his legal team at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.
This comes after Justice Nyako recused herself from Kanu’s case on September 24, 2024, citing the IPOB leader’s lack of confidence in her handling of the trial. The case was then referred to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who later returned it to Justice Nyako for continuation.
Kanu has consistently opposed Justice Nyako’s involvement, arguing that her return to the case after her recusal undermines the integrity of the judicial process.
In his statement, Ejimakor revealed that Kanu had instructed his legal team to ensure that Justice Nyako does not resume presiding over his trial.
The statement read, “The routine visitation to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu continues as the legal team just concluded an important meeting today.
“The central issue arising from today’s visitation is the upcoming court date for the continuation of Kanu’s case. Due to its constitutional implications, Onyendu has instructed the legal team to take steps to ensure that his case is not handled by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, who had previously withdrawn from the case on September 24, 2024.
“The argument is that if the case is returned to Justice Nyako, it would signify a disregard for an order she herself made.”
Kanu’s legal team stressed the need for a new judge to handle the case and suggested that, if necessary, the trial be moved to a Federal High Court in the South-East, where the alleged offenses were said to have occurred.
“If no other judge in Abuja is willing to take the case, the Chief Judge is encouraged to transfer the case to any Federal High Court in Umuahia, Awka, Enugu, Asaba, Port Harcourt, or any other court within the former Eastern Nigeria, where the alleged offenses are said to have occurred or had their impact,” the statement concluded.