When Nnamdi Kanu reappeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the resumed hearing of his protracted case, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) questioned the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge adjourned the case indefinitely despite Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako lacked jurisdiction over his case.
Kanu was detained and tried for allegedly committing terrorism in Nigeria in June 2021. Following the defendant’s oral request on September 24, 2024, Justice Nyako recused herself from the case and halted his trial.
The IPOB leader had expressly stated to the judge that he no longer believed how his trial would be handled by her.
However, John Tsoho, the Federal High Court’s Chief Judge, reversed the case to Nyako arguing that Kanu’s request for a formal notice of the court’s request.
Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
]READ ALSO] Nnamdi Kanu: Temper Justice With Mercy, Deputy Speaker Begs Tinubu
Opposing the request for a trial date, the defence counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remained valid.
If there isn’t a judge in Abuja willing to rule over the case, Ejimakor requested that the case be transferred to a South-East Federal High Court. His prayer, however, did not see the light of day.
Justice Nyako claimed that the chief judge had referred the case back to her after the resumed hearing on February 10, 2025.
If the defense team led by Ejimakor still demands the recusal, she requested that they submit a written application.
Prior to the trial’s opening, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecutor’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, claimed his witnesses were prepared as the prosecution attorney’s team was ready.
Poor Court Knowledge in Nigeria-Kanu
A furious Kanu addressed the court and questioned Justice Nyako’s decision to take him. He claimed that he had no idea what the judge had to say. He claimed that he disregarded Justice Nyako’s presided over him and that the court had no authority over him.
The judge had previously recused herself from the case, so the IPOB leader claimed he was only present because of how respectable the rule of law is to be.
Kanu argued that the chief judge’s return to Justice Nyako’s case was unfair, insisting that the prosecution could not pursue him.
Justice Nyako should not be a judge over his case, according to the IPOB leader, who argued. He claimed that Nigeria is impacted by its lack of court knowledge.
Since the prosecution has refused to submit a written application, the prosecution attorney requested a definite date for the hearing in response to Kanu’s remarks. Kanu should not insult the court, according to Awomolo.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply