BREAKING: Commotion In Courtroom As The Judge Backoff Nnamdi Kanu's Trial

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), concerning the terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government. On Tuesday, the judge made the decision to step aside from the case after Kanu expressed his lack of confidence and trust in her ability to deliver justice. During the proceedings, Kanu abruptly rose from the dock, directed remarks at his attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, and took control of the court's proceedings.

In the ensuing commotion, Kanu declared that he no longer trusted Justice Binta Nyako and insisted that she withdraw from the case immediately. Despite Ejimakor's hesitance to comply, Kanu repeatedly commanded him to sit down, stating, “Sit down. I say sit down there. Sit down, it is my order.” At this point, a visibly embarrassed Ejimakor complied with his client's directive. Kanu, raising his voice, addressed the judge directly, asserting that he lacked confidence in receiving justice regarding the treason charges she was overseeing. Looking directly at the judge, Kanu stated, “Let me tell you right away, I do not have confidence in this court. I do not have trust in you. “I demand that you immediately recuse yourself from this matter. The Federal Government of Nigeria has no jurisdiction to bring terrorism charges against me. You are aware of the truth but choose not to acknowledge it. “You are pretending not to know that the Nigerian government lacks the authority to file these charges against me. You are biased against me,” he proclaimed loudly in the courtroom. The Biafra activist directed accusations towards the Federal Government's attorney, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, alleging that he was acting in accordance with the Federal Government's interests in a manner contrary to the law. He request that any criminal charges against him could only be pursued in the United Kingdom, where the alleged offense took place. In response, the Federal Government's attorney strongly opposed Kanu's request for the judge to recuse herself from the case. Awomolo requested the court's permission to present his first witness, emphasizing the need for the witness to be shielded from public view for security reasons. In turn, Kanu's attorney, Ejimakor, objected to the initiation of the trial, stating that Kanu had not been adequately prepared for it. Ejimakor expressed concerns regarding the lack of privacy provided by the Department of State Services (DSS) for discussions with his client, noting that the room designated for their meeting was unsanitary and that a foreign cleaner was barred from entering by the security agency. Additionally, he mentioned that he had submitted three separate appeals against previous high court rulings, two of which contested the court's jurisdiction, while the third pertained to bail. He requested that the trial be suspended until the Court of Appeal resolved the three pending appeals. However, this request was denied on the basis that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, does not allow for such a postponement. In the meantime, Kanu has been remanded in DSS custody for the continuation of his detention until the Chief Judge assigns the case to a different judge.