Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to intervene in his ongoing trial.
He wants his case reassigned to a different judge, arguing that the current judge, Justice Binta Nyako, had previously stepped away from the case due to claims of bias.
Kanu, who is facing seven charges related to terrorism, sent a formal petition through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.
In the letter sighted by News About Nigeria, Ejimakor pointed out that once a judge withdraws from a case, they should not be involved in any further proceedings.
He said continuing under Justice Nyako could raise concerns about fairness and judicial transparency.
Kanu’s legal team has also taken the matter to the National Judicial Council, where a complaint against Justice Nyako was filed on January 14, 2025.
The complaint is still under review.
Ejimakor urged the CJN to ensure a fair trial by assigning the case to a judge with proper jurisdiction.
He also suggested that if necessary, the trial should be moved to a court in the South-East.
“Once a judge voluntarily recuses themselves, the immediate legal consequence is that they are disqualified from further proceedings. A decision or order of recusal is akin to a ruling on jurisdiction and cannot be reversed arbitrarily
“Public trust in the courts is crucial. If a judge unilaterally resumes a case after recusal, it creates a perception of partiality and undermines confidence in the judicial process”, Ejimakor said.
