Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), requested that Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself from his trial due to alleged bias. Kanu, facing seven-count terrorism charges, claimed the court failed to obey a Supreme Court decision.
Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, sought to suspend the trial, citing inadequate preparation time. However, Kanu interrupted, asking the judge to recuse herself, citing loss of confidence in the court.
Prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo argued that the Supreme Court directed the trial to proceed. Kanu countered, waving a copy of the Supreme Court judgment, which stated that the trial court’s actions raised suspicions about the judge’s impartiality.
Justice Nyako expressed dissatisfaction and ultimately recused herself, remitting the case file to the Chief Judge.
Background:
- Kanu was arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017
- He escaped after soldiers invaded his home and was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021
- The Court of Appeal ordered his release in 2022, but FG appealed to the Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court vacated the appeal court judgment, allowing FG to try Kanu on seven counts
