The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, on resumption of his trial presided over by Justice Binta Nyaku of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, questioned the jurisdiction of his alleged terrorism.
Justice Nyako adjourned the matter indefinitely despite Kanu’s insistence that she has no jurisdiction over his case.
Kanu had directly told the judge that he is no confident had confidence in her handling of his trial.
Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and tried for alleged terrorism. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, howvwer, returned the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
In opposition to the request by the prosecuting counsel for a trial date to be fixed, Aloy Ejimako, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remained valid.
Ejimakor subsequently requested that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it.
At the resumption of hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako She asked the defence team led by Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal, stating that the Chief Judge had not accepted her recusal
The Prosecution counsel led by Adegboyega Awomolo had earlier said they were ready for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were ready.
Addressing the court, Kanu He said all that the judge said was meaningless to him, questioning why he was brought before Justice Nyako. Kanu said he does not recognise the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako over him.
Kanu said he was only in court for the respect for the rule of law, stating that he was not happy with the decision of returnning the case to Justice Nyako by the Chief Judge, insisting that Justice Nyako is biased over his case and should not preside over it.
Kanu said that poor knowledge of the law is affecting Nigeria.
The prosecution counsel took an objection to Kanu’s remarks and asked for a definite date for hearing since the prosecution has refused to file a written application. Awomolo said it was not right for Kanu to insult the court.
