Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused herself from the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu in the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
The Judge on Tuesday opted out of the trial following the outburst of Kanu that he had no confidence and trust in the judge.
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In the middle of Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu had jumped up from the dock and ordered his lawyer, Aloy Ejimako to sit down for him to address the court.
In the uproar that ensued, Kanu took over the proceedings, announced that he no longer had confidence in Justice Binta Nyako and demanded that she recuse herself immediately.
Although the federal government lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, objected to Kanu’s request, the Judge insisted on recusing herself.
Awomolo had argued that the order to open the trial was in line with a Supreme Court Judgment, Justice Binta Nyako said she would prefer another judge to handle the trial.
The judge subsequently recused herself and ordered that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho for reassignment to another judge.
Meanwhile, Kanu has been returned to the DSS custody.