Lader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has questioned the jurisdiction of his supposed terrorism case when he re-appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the continued hearing of his extended case.
In spite of Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely.
Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been incarcerated and tried for alleged terrorism. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
The IPOB leader had directly told the judge that he no longer believed in her handling of his trial.
Notwithstanding, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, returned the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application ought to be brought officially under the steady gaze of the court through a motion on notice.
Subsequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, requested the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
Contending the request for a trial date, the defence counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the decision of the judge recusing herself remained valid.
Hence, Ejimakor asked that the case be moved to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it. His prayer, in any case, did not see the light of day.
At the continued hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako said the chief judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her.
She asked the defence team led by Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.
Earlier, the Prosecution counsel, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, said they were prepared for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were prepared.
Addressing the court, an incensed Kanu questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako. He said all that the judge said was insignificant to him. He said he does not identify the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako over him.
The IPOB leader said he was only in court in light of the regard he has for the rule of law, adding that the judge had recently recused herself from the case.
Kanu said he was not content with the decision of the chief judge who returned the case to Justice Nyako, demanding that the prosecution cannot arraign him.
The IPOB leader demanded that Justice Nyako was biased over his case and ought not to preside over his case. He said poor knowledge of the court is affecting Nigeria.
The prosecution counsel took an objection to Kanu’s remarks and requested for a definite date for hearing since the prosecution has refused to file a written application.
Awomolo said it was not right for Kanu to insult the court.
Regardless of Kanu’s objection, Justice Nyako adjourned his case indefinitely.
