BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s trial in limbo as Justice Nyako agrees to step down as presiding jugde

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has agreed to recuse herself from the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This decision came after Kanu requested her withdrawal from the case, citing her failure to obey a Supreme Court order and his subsequent loss of confidence in the court’s impartiality.

During the resumed trial on Tuesday, Kanu openly asked Justice Nyako to “rescue” herself from the proceedings.

In response, Justice Nyako stated that she had no objections to the request and would send the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment and further actions.

The disagreement between Kanu and the court centers on a Supreme Court ruling questioning the jurisdiction over the charges related to Kanu’s alleged broadcasts.

Despite the Federal Government’s readiness to continue with the trial, Kanu stood in court and instructed his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, to remain seated while he personally addressed the judge.

“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” Kanu had yelled at his lawyer.

Speaking further, he said, “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more, 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 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.”

He also read a part of the judgment of the Supreme Court, where alleged bias against Justice Nyako was raised.

The counsel for the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, had earlier told the court that he was ready for the commencement of trial, but that it could not hold under the present circumstance.

Awomolo, however, tried to urge Justice Nyako to proceed with the trial, but she responded that she had been minded to recuse herself from the case.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge,” she declared.

Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government and brought to the country for trial on terrorism charges.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Nyako declined to admit him to bail on the ground that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.

Kanu has since been in the custody of the Department of State Services on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.