Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB Rejects Federal Government’s Request for Trial Resumption
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has firmly dismissed the federal government’s attempt to set a date for his trial, which was recently put in motion after Judge Binta Nyako recused herself from the case. This significant development occurred on September 24 when Kanu expressed a lack of confidence in Nyako’s ability to fairly oversee his trial, leading to her voluntary withdrawal from the proceedings.
Following this, the case file was returned to Judge Nyako by John Tsoho, the chief judge of the federal high court, highlighting that any request for recusal must be formally submitted through a motion on notice. On December 5, the prosecution, represented by counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, requested the court to schedule a date for Kanu’s trial to resume.
In contrast, Kanu’s attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, countered this request in a letter dated December 9, reiterating that the judge’s recusal, established on September 24, remains valid and has not been overturned by any subsequent court action. Ejimakor emphasized the importance of adhering to the existing order, asserting that any attempt to proceed with the trial under the current circumstances is fundamentally flawed and could lead the court into a situation of legal impropriety.
Ejimakor’s communication stressed that the prosecution’s request was not only misguided but might also mislead the court into an undesirable jurisdictional and constitutional dilemma. Kanu’s defense remains steadfast in their belief that the ruling concerning the judge’s recusal is binding and must be respected.
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