A Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after he challenged the authority of Justice Binta Nyako to preside over his case.
The court session on Monday turned tense as Kanu insisted that Justice Nyako had previously recused herself from the case and, therefore, had no jurisdiction over the matter.
However, Nyako ruled that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, had not accepted her recusal and had reassigned the case to her, pending a formal motion from the defense.
Kanu, who was arrested and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021, has been detained and tried for alleged terrorism.
His trial stalled in September 2024 when Justice Nyako stepped down from the case following an oral application by Kanu, who expressed a lack of confidence in her.
Despite this, the Chief Judge reassigned the case to Nyako, stating that Kanu’s request for recusal needed to be formally submitted as a motion.
In response, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, argued that the recusal remained valid and requested the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East. This request was denied.
At Monday’s hearing, Kanu openly questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako, declaring that he did not recognize her authority over his case.
He criticized the judicial process, stating that a lack of proper legal knowledge was affecting Nigeria.
The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, objected to Kanu’s remarks, arguing that he was disrespecting the court. Awomolo insisted that the trial should proceed, as the prosecution was ready with witnesses.
Despite Kanu’s protests, Justice Nyako ruled that the case would remain adjourned indefinitely until the defense formally applied for her recusal.
