The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned indefinitely the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after he questioned the trial judge’s impartiality.
Judge Binta Nyako announced the indefinite postponement of the proceedings following Mr Kanu’s protest, the second instance in about four and a half months that the IPOB leader has expressed a lack of confidence in her handling of the case.
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Mr Kanu said during the proceedings that he was “not happy with the decision of the Chief Judge” returning the case to Mrs Nyako.
The IPOB leader said he was only in court due to the respect he had for the rule of law, adding that the judge had previously recused herself from the case.
He said he could not be prosecuted while the case remained with Mrs Nyako.
Prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) objected to Mr Kanu’s remarks and asked for a definite date for hearing.
He said the Chief Judge returned the case file to Mrs Nyako for Mr Kanu to formally raise his objection to the judge’s continued handling of the case.
Mr Awomolo said since Mr Kanu refused to file such a formal application, it was wrong for him to “insult the court.”
However, following Mr Kanu’s objection, Mrs Nyako adjourned the matter indefinitely.
Mr Kanu, who has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) since 2021, is standing trial before the judge on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony arising from his separatist activities.
IPOB, a proscribed group led by Mr Kanu, is agitating for the secession of Nigeria’s South-east states and parts of some neighbouring states as a sovereign Biafra nation.
Mr Kanu arrived at the court premises in company with SSS operatives at about 8.30 a.m. on Monday.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution led by Mr Awomolo told the judge that his team was ready for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were ready.
However, defence lawyer Mr Ejimakor said his client had taken a decision not to stand trial before Mrs Nyako.
“The defendant is still asking that your lordship recuse herself from this matter,” Mr Ejimakor said.
In response, the judge said “the Chief Judge had not accepted the recusal and had referred the case back” to her for trial.
She asked the defence team to send a written application if they insisted on her quitting the case.
As Mr Kanu insisted on her withdrawing from the case, she was forced to announce an indefinite postponement of the case.