The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged terrorism trial. During Monday’s resumed hearing before Justice Binta Nyako, Kanu expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, who reassigned the case to Nyako despite her previous recusal.
Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 following his extradition to Nigeria, maintained that Justice Nyako lacked the jurisdiction to preside over his trial. His case had been stalled after he directly informed the judge on September 24, 2024, that he no longer had confidence in her handling of the matter. In response, Nyako had stepped down from the case.
However, the Chief Judge ruled that Kanu’s application for recusal must be formally filed through a motion on notice. In a letter dated December 5, 2024, the prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, requested a date for the trial’s resumption. Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, countered this request in a December 9 letter, insisting that Nyako’s recusal remained valid. He further urged that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja was willing to handle it.
At Monday’s hearing, Justice Nyako informed Kanu’s legal team that the Chief Judge had not approved her recusal, effectively reinstating her authority over the case. She instructed the defence team to submit a written application if they still sought her removal. Meanwhile, the prosecution declared its readiness for trial, stating that its witnesses were prepared to testify.
A visibly frustrated Kanu objected to the proceedings, questioning why he was being tried under Nyako’s jurisdiction. He insisted that he did not recognize the court’s authority over him, despite attending the hearing out of respect for the rule of law. He further criticized the judicial process, claiming that a lack of proper legal understanding was harming Nigeria.
The prosecution objected to Kanu’s statements, arguing that his remarks were disrespectful to the court. Awomolo pressed for a definite trial date, emphasizing that the defence had not filed a formal request for the judge’s recusal.
Despite the objections from both sides, Justice Nyako adjourned the case indefinitely.
