Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team Rejects Nigerian Government’s Attempt to Resume Trial

• Nnamdi Kanu’s lead counsel has rejected the government’s request to set a date for the resumption of his trial.
• The objection is based on Justice Binta Nyako’s order recusing herself from the case on September 24, 2024.
• Kanu’s legal team argues that the recusal order remains valid and has not been overturned by any competent court.
• The Nigerian government’s request for the continuation of the trial is deemed unconstitutional by Kanu’s counsel.
• Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021, was acquitted by the Court of Appeal but remains incarcerated due to ongoing legal battles.

The lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has firmly rejected the Nigerian government’s attempt to resume his trial. This objection stems from the fact that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court had, on September 24, 2024, entered an order recusing herself from handling Kanu’s case.

Kanu had previously requested Justice Nyako’s recusal due to a lack of confidence in her ability to manage the case fairly. Following this, the case file was initially returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. However, it was subsequently sent back to Justice Nyako for trial continuation.

In response, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecuting counsel for the Nigerian government, asked for a date to resume the trial. However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejimakor, rejected this request, describing it as “fatally misconceived.” Ejimakor argued that the recusal order remains valid and unchallenged by any court, meaning that Kanu has no case to answer before Justice Nyako.

Kanu, who was detained in June 2021 following his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, has faced a prolonged legal struggle. Despite being discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian government has refused to release him. In December 2023, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial, sending the case back to the Abuja Federal High Court.