The resumed hearing in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when Kanu clashed with his legal counsel and demanded that the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, step down from the case due to alleged bias.
Kanu, who is facing seven charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused Justice Nyako of ignoring a Supreme Court ruling related to his case. He stated in open court that he had lost confidence in the judge, insisting she recuse herself.
“I can understand if the DSS refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable. I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case,” Kanu declared.
In response, Justice Nyako announced her decision to recuse herself from the case, saying, “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.”
The situation escalated when Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, attempted to intervene, only to be loudly rebuked by Kanu, who shouted, “Sit down! I say you should sit down!”
Despite the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urging the judge to continue with the case, arguing that Kanu’s claims were not connected to the Supreme Court, Kanu persisted, waving a document he claimed was the relevant Supreme Court ruling and reading a portion that questioned the impartiality of the court.
This marks a significant development in Kanu’s trial, which has been ongoing since his initial arrest on October 14, 2015. After being granted bail in 2017 on health grounds, Kanu fled the country following a military raid on his home. He was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and has since been held by the Department of State Services (DSS). Multiple bail applications have been denied by Justice Nyako.
With the judge recusing herself, the case will now be reassigned to another judge by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
