Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Indefinitely As Furious IPOB Leader Rejects the Authority of the Judge
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The trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been adjourned indefinitely by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. This development comes after Kanu refused to stand trial before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako,, citing concerns over the judge’s jurisdiction.
Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case stems from her previous recusal from the case.
In September 2024, Kanu had expressed a lack of confidence in Justice Nyako’s handling of his trial, prompting her to recuse herself.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, later reverted the file to Justice Nyako, stating that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.
The IPOB leader was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and tried for alleged terrorism.
Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had 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. However, this request was not granted.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako asked the defence team to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.
The prosecution counsel, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, expressed readiness to commence the trial, stating that their witnesses were prepared.
Kanu addressed the court, questioning why he was brought before Justice Nyako despite her previous recusal.
An obviously furious Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said all that the judge said was meaningless to him, saying that he does not recognize the authority of the court presided over by Justice Nyako and accused her of being biased.
Kanu’s remarks were met with an objection from the prosecution counsel, who requested a definite date for the hearing.
Despite the objections, Justice Nyako adjourned Kanu’s case indefinitely.
Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, later stated that the proceedings were illegal and that they had appeared in court “under protest.”
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