Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his objection to her continued role in the case.
The adjournment on Monday came after Kanu insisted that Justice Nyako lacked the authority to preside over his trial, citing her previous decision to recuse herself.
Kanu had earlier petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) in January, alleging judicial misconduct against Justice Nyako.
He later demanded that his trial be transferred to the South-East if no other judge in Abuja was willing to take the case.
During the proceedings, the judge explained that while she had initially stepped down from the case, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court declined her recusal and reassigned the matter to her.
She directed Kanu’s legal team to formally request a transfer if they wished to challenge her authority.
As the prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), expressed readiness to proceed with the trial, Kanu’s defense counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, clarified that the key issue at hand was not the trial’s commencement but the judge’s authority.
Kanu, sitting in the dock, then requested to speak, declaring his intent to take over his legal defense.
“Yes, I want to take over,” he told Justice Nyako.
He maintained that the court no longer had jurisdiction over his case, as she had previously recused herself in September 2024.
In a heated exchange, Kanu openly challenged the judge and the prosecution, rejecting the court’s authority.
Addressing the prosecuting lawyer, he said, “A grown-up man like you, who should be in the village making sure things are done properly, is here subverting the law.”
Turning to Justice Nyako, he declared: “You cannot preside over this case, not now, not today, not ever.
You stand recused and must leave my case. I don’t need you in my case.
You are biased.
Tell the Chief Judge that Nnamdi Kanu said so.”
He further criticized the judiciary, stating, “This is not a court of law.
This is a shrine to injustice, and I will not subject myself to it.”
As the prosecution requested a trial date, Kanu continued to interject, accusing the Chief Judge of interfering in the case.
Justice Nyako ultimately ruled: “The only decision I can make right now is that in light of what is happening in court, I am going to adjourn this case sine die (indefinitely).”
Kanu, however, dismissed the ruling, stating, “You have no jurisdiction to adjourn anything.
The memo from the Chief Judge cannot confer jurisdiction upon you.”
With the case now adjourned indefinitely, the legal battle over the IPOB leader’s trial remains unresolved.
