The Federal High Court Judge, Binta Nyako, has “recused” from Nnamdi Kanu’s case, citing a loss of confidence from the defendant.
News About Nigeria reports that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), expressed dissatisfaction with Nyako’s handling of his trial during the resumed court session.
Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel for the federal government, announced readiness to proceed with the trial and requested witness protection.
Meanwhile, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, stated that his team was unprepared to continue due to inadequate time for defence preparation.
Kanu interrupted Ejimakor, directing him to sit down.
He then addressed Judge Nyako, saying, “My lord, I have no confidence in this court anymore and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.”
“I can understand it if the Department of State Services (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.”
Despite the prosecution’s push to continue the trial, Nyako decided to step down, sending the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment.
“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” she declared.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his 2021 re-arrest and extradition from Kenya.
He faced a seven-count charge of treasonable felony.
In 2017, Kanu was granted bail, which was later revoked due to non-appearance.
In April 2022, Nyako struck out eight of the 15 counts.
The remaining seven counts were quashed by the court of appeal in October 2022, ordering Kanu’s release.
However, the court of appeal granted a stay of execution on its verdict after the federal government’s supreme court appeal.
Kanu’s bail requests were denied in March and May.
