Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), facing terrorism charges filed by the federal government.
According to SUMMITNEWS the judge made this decision on Tuesday after Kanu expressed a lack of confidence and trust in her. During the proceedings, Kanu abruptly stood up from the dock, instructing his lawyer, Aloy Ejimako, to sit down so he could speak to the court.
In the ensuing commotion, Kanu took control of the session, declared that he no longer trusted Justice Binta Nyako, and demanded her immediate recusal. Although the federal government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, opposed Kanu’s request, the judge chose to step aside.
Awomolo contended that the decision to commence the trial was supported by a Supreme Court ruling, but Justice Nyako stated her preference for another judge to oversee the case. She subsequently recused herself and directed that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, for reassignment to a different judge.
In the meantime, Kanu has been returned to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
