Nnamdi Kanu Requests Case Transfer to South-East Federal High Court

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has requested the transfer of his case to a federal high court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it.

The request follows Justice Binta Nyako’s decision on September 24 to recuse herself from the case after an oral application made by Kanu.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” Justice Nyako had declared during the hearing.

Kanu, expressing a lack of confidence in Justice Nyako’s handling of the trial, had directly communicated his concerns to her. However, John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, later returned the case file to Justice Nyako, stating that Kanu’s application for her recusal must be formally submitted as a motion on notice.

Despite this development, Kanu has remained adamant about not standing trial before Justice Nyako.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, revealed his client’s firm instructions to ensure that Justice Nyako does not continue presiding over the case.

“The central issue discussed during today’s visitation is the upcoming court date for the continuation of Kanu’s case,” Ejimakor stated.

“Onyendu [Kanu] has instructed the legal team to take immediate steps to ensure that Justice Binta Nyako does not resume handling the case, as she had already withdrawn by virtue of the recusal order issued on September 24, 2024.

“It was emphasized that allowing the case to remain with Justice Nyako would imply the court disobeying its own order.”

Ejimakor further noted that the legal team is prepared to proceed in court, provided a different judge is assigned.

“If no judge in Abuja is available to take up the case, the chief judge should transfer it to any federal high court within the South-East or South-South regions, including Umuahia, Awka, Enugu, Asaba, or Port Harcourt, where the alleged offences occurred or had an impact,” he added.