The head of the banished Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, scrutinized the jurisdiction of his supposed terrorism case when he re-showed before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the continued hearing of his extended case.
In spite of Kanu’s demand 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 confined and tried for alleged terrorism. His preliminary was slowed down after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
The IPOB pioneer had straightforwardly let the judge know that he no longer believed in her handling his trial.
In any case, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, returned the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought officially under the watchful eye 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 indictment counsel, requested the court to fix a date for the commencement of the preliminary.
Opposing the solicitation for a trial date, the defense counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the decision of the judge recusing herself stayed legitimate.
Consequently, 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 request, in any case, didn’t come around.
At the continued hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako said the chief judge had not acknowledged her recusal and had referred the case back to her.
She asked the defense team led by Ejimakor to come up with a composed application if they still insist on the recusal.
Prior, the Indictment counsel led by Adegboyega Awomolo, said they were prepared for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were prepared.
Poor Knowledge Of Court Affecting Nigeria – Kanu
Addressing the court, an irate Kanu addressed why he was brought before Justice Nyako. He said all that the judge said was aimless to him. He said he does not perceive the authority of the court directed by Justice Nyako over him.
The IPOB pioneer said he was exclusively 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 arraignment can’t indict him.
The IPOB leader demanded that Justice Nyako is one-sided over his case and should not preside over his case. He said unfortunate information on the court is influencing Nigeria.
The arraignment counsel took an issue to Kanu’s comments and requested for a definite date for hearing since the arraignment has refused to file a written application. Awomolo said it was not ideal for Kanu to affront the court.
Despite Kanu’s complaint, Justice Nyako adjourned his case indefinitely.
