BREAKING: Justice Binta Nyako to step down from Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

Justice Recuses Herself from Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial, Citing Lacking Confidence in Court

Abuja, Nigeria – Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused herself from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), citing a lack of confidence in the court. The decision came after Kanu requested that the trial judge recuse herself from his case, citing the court’s failure to obey the orders of the Supreme Court.

Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, had been trying to persuade the court to suspend the trial, claiming that his client was denied the opportunity to prepare his defense. However, Justice Nyako interrupted him and asked him to sit down. Kanu then took over and argued that he had lost confidence in the court due to its refusal to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision.

The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the trial judge had shown bias against Kanu. The IPOB leader referred to this ruling and accused Justice Nyako of being complicit in the court’s refusal to obey the Supreme Court’s order. He urged her to recuse herself from the case.

The prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), attempted to persuade Justice Nyako to continue with the trial, but she refused. Instead, she declared that she had been minded to recuse herself from the case and would remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.

Kanu is facing a seven-count charge of terrorism and other related offenses brought by the federal government. The trial has been ongoing for several months, with both parties presenting their cases and witnesses. The development is likely to cause a delay in the trial, as a new judge will have to be assigned to preside over the case.