The Federal High court in Abuja has ordered Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to appear for the continuation of his trial on February 10, 2025.
Kanu is expected to appear before Binta Nyako, the trial judge, who had earlier recused herself from the case.
The hearing notice dated January 22, 2025, was addressed to Aloy Ejimakor, the defendant’s lead counsel.
Reacting to the notice, Ejimakor said the development is “shocking” but that the defence counsels would show up with “bated breath”.
BACKGROUND
Kanu’s trial was stalled after Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
The IPOB leader directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.
However, John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, reverted the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.
Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, and addressed to the deputy chief registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Opposing the request for a trial date, Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remains valid.
Subsequently, Ejimakor asked that the case be transferred to a federal high court in the south-east if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it.
The separatist is being tried for alleged terrorism.
The Cable
