Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has questioned the jurisdiction of his terrorism case during his appearance before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court. This was for the resumption of his ongoing trial.
Despite Kanu’s assertion that Justice Nyako lacked jurisdiction over his case, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely.
Kanu was brought back to Nigeria in June 2021 and has been detained and tried for alleged terrorism offenses. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself in September 2024, following an oral request from Kanu, who stated that he no longer had confidence in her handling of the case.
However, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, overruled this and sent the case back to Nyako, stating that Kanu’s application must be formally brought before the court.
In response, the prosecution, represented by Adegboyega Awomolo, requested the court set a date for the trial in a letter dated December 5, 2024.
Kanu’s defense counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, opposed this request, asserting that the judge’s recusal was still valid. Ejimakor further requested the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja was willing to take the case. However, his request was not granted.
At the hearing on February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako explained that the Chief Judge had not accepted her recusal and had returned the case to her. She instructed the defense to submit a written application if they still sought her recusal.
Kanu, visibly upset, questioned why he was being brought before Justice Nyako. He expressed that everything the judge had said was meaningless to him and that he did not recognize the court’s authority under her leadership.
He emphasized that his appearance in court was due to his respect for the rule of law, but he was unhappy with the Chief Judge’s decision to return the case to Justice Nyako.
Kanu further argued that the prosecution could not legally try him and accused the judge of bias, blaming a lack of understanding of the law for the challenges facing Nigeria.
The prosecution, led by Awomolo, objected to Kanu’s comments, stating that his remarks were disrespectful to the court and demanded a specific trial date. Despite this, Justice Nyako adjourned the case indefinitely.
