The Federal High Court in Abuja’s Justice Binta Nyako has withdrawn from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, over terrorism-related charges brought by the federal government.
Following Kanu’s outburst on Tuesday expressing his lack of confidence and trust in the judge, the judge decided to withdraw from the trial.
Kanu abruptly stood up from the dock during Tuesday’s hearings and asked his attorney, Aloy Ejimako, to take a seat so he could address the court.
Amidst the ensuing chaos, Kanu assumed control of the proceedings, declaring his lack of faith in Justice Binta Nyako and insisting that she save him right away.
The federal government’s attorney, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, disagreed with Kanu’s request, but the judge insisted on withdrawing.
Justice Binta Nyako stated she would prefer a different judge to preside over the trial, notwithstanding Awomolo’s argument that the order to begin the trial was in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling.
The judge then withdrew her nomination and directed that the case file be sent back to Chief Judge John Tsoho of the Federal High Court so that it might be assigned to a different judge.
Kanu has been brought back into the DSS’s custody in the interim.
Details to follow.