Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has announced her decision to recuse herself from Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
She made this declaration after Kanu, during the resumption of his trial on Tuesday, requested her to withdraw from the case, citing her failure to follow the Supreme Court’s order and expressing a loss of confidence in the court.
Kanu openly addressed the court, stating, “My lord, I have no confidence in this court anymore, and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. While I can understand the DSS disobeying court orders, it is regrettable that this court would fail to follow a Supreme Court ruling.”
Justice Nyako responded by agreeing to his request, stating that she was willing to step aside and had no objection to his demand. She added that she would return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
Before Justice Nyako’s decision, Kanu had forcefully instructed his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, to sit down as he stood to address the court himself. He based his argument on the Supreme Court’s judgment, which questioned the jurisdiction of the case.
The Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, had earlier indicated readiness to proceed with the trial, but the proceedings were interrupted by the unfolding circumstances. Awomolo attempted to convince Justice Nyako to continue with the case, but she insisted on her decision to recuse herself, stating, “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.”
Kanu, who was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria to face terrorism charges, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) under the order of the Federal High Court. Though he pleaded not guilty, Justice Nyako previously denied him bail, citing his earlier escape when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe had served as his surety.