Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Trial Transfer To South-East After Judge’s Withdrawal
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has requested the transfer of his trial to the South-East or the reassignment of a new judge in Abuja following Justice Binta Nyako’s withdrawal from the case.
Kanu, who has been facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony since 2015, expressed a lack of confidence in Justice Nyako’s ability to ensure a fair trial. Justice Nyako recused herself from the case on September 24, 2024, citing concerns raised by Kanu about impartiality.
After her withdrawal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, reassigned the case back to Justice Nyako. However, Kanu’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, insists that she should no longer preside over the trial, citing her earlier recusal.
During a Thursday meeting with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, Ejimakor disclosed that Kanu suggested moving the trial to a Federal High Court in the South-East, where the alleged offences were said to have occurred.
“The routine visitation to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu continues unabated, as the legal team just concluded a crucial visitation today,” Ejimakor stated. “Onyendu instructed the legal team to take steps to ensure his case is not handled by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, who had recused herself on September 24, 2024.
“If no other judge in Abuja is willing to handle the case, the Chief Judge is free to transfer the case to Umuahia, Awka, Enugu, Asaba, Port Harcourt, or any other Federal High Court within the former Eastern Nigeria, where the alleged offences were said to have occurred or had their impact.”
Kanu’s legal team emphasized the constitutional importance of a fair trial and called for immediate action to ensure the case proceeds without bias or delays.
