Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Trial Transfer to South-East Amid Dispute Over Judge

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has requested that his trial be moved to the South-East if no judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja is willing to preside over the case, except for Justice Binta Nyako. Kanu’s request was communicated in a statement by his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, following a routine meeting with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja. This development follows Justice Nyako’s recusal from the case on September 24, 2024, after Kanu expressed a lack of confidence in her handling of the trial. Despite this, the case was later reassigned to Justice Nyako by Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for continuation. Kanu has vehemently opposed Justice Nyako’s involvement, arguing that her return to the case undermines judicial integrity. According to Ejimakor, Kanu has instructed his legal team to take steps to prevent Justice Nyako from presiding over his trial. “The main issue arising during today’s visitation is the upcoming court date for Kanu’s case. Due to its constitutional significance, Onyendu has instructed the legal team to ensure that his case is not handled by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, who had previously recused herself on September 24, 2024,” Ejimakor stated. Kanu’s legal team has also emphasized the need for a new judge and proposed moving the trial to a Federal High Court in the South-East, where the alleged offenses are said to have occurred. “If no other judge in Abuja is willing to handle the case, the Chief Judge is free to transfer the case to any Federal High Court in the former Eastern Nigeria, such as Umuahia, Awka, Enugu, Asaba, or Port Harcourt, where the alleged offenses are believed to have taken place,” the statement added.