Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has rejected a request from the Nigerian Government to set a date for the continuation of his client’s trial.
Ejimakor shared this update on Twitter on Tuesday, noting that despite his continued detention, Kanu remains strong, with three visitations allowed weekly. The Nigerian Government has been prosecuting Kanu on charges related to alleged treasonable felony and terrorism.
Kanu, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria. The case has been ongoing since 2015, and Kanu has repeatedly voiced his lack of confidence in the court handling his trial. In the last court sitting on September 24, 2024, he requested that Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself from the case, which was subsequently referred to the Chief Judge of the High Court.
However, the Chief Judge returned the case to Justice Nyako, arguing that, having overseen most of the proceedings, she was best placed to continue the case. The Chief Judge also instructed that Kanu must file a formal motion if he insists on seeking her recusal.
In a letter dated December 5, 2024, the Nigerian Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, requested a trial date. The letter confirmed that the case had been returned to Justice Nyako for continuation.
In response, Ejimakor rejected this request, emphasising that Justice Nyako’s order to recuse herself remains valid. He further stated that proceeding with the trial as requested by the Nigerian Government would be “fatally misconceived” and could mislead the court into unconstitutional actions. Ejimakor confirmed that Kanu no longer has any case to answer before Justice Nyako.
