The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has apologised for his recent attacks on the Federal High Court and Justice Binta Nyako.
He also extended his apology to the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Awomolo, SAN.
Kanu’s new counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, delivered the apology before Justice James Omotosho, the new trial judge.
Agabi sought permission from the court to convey Kanu’s message, stating that he had already consulted the prosecution’s lawyer. Justice Omotosho granted the request.
The judge fixed March 21 for Kanu’s trial after reassigning the case file to him.
Kanu, extradited from Kenya in June 2021, is expected to take his plea as the case begins afresh (de novo).
Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), notified Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated March 4, of the case transfer from Justice Nyako to Justice Omotosho. The reassignment followed Kanu and his legal team’s request for a new judge, citing allegations of bias.
On September 24, 2024, Justice Nyako withdrew from the case and sent the file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, stating that she could not proceed with a trial where the defendant lacked confidence in the court.
However, the Chief Judge later returned the file to her, insisting that a formal application was required before her recusal could be accepted.
Kanu and Ejimakor maintained on February 10 that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction after stepping down from the case, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter indefinitely (sine die).
Before Justice Nyako, the case had been handled by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, and Justice Tsoho before he became the Chief Judge.
