The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been ordered by the federal high court in Abuja to appear on February 10, 2025, for the continuation of his trial.
It is anticipated that Kanu will appear before trial judge Binta Nyako, who had previously withdrawn from the case.
The defendant’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, received the hearing notification on January 22, 2025.
Reacting to the notice, Ejimakor said the development is “shocking” but that the defence counsels would show up with “bated breath”.
Kanu’s trial was stalled after Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
The IPOB leader directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.
However, John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, reverted the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.
READ ALSO: EFCC Immortalizes Officer Killed in Anambra with Posthumous Bravery Award
Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the deputy chief registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
Opposing the request for a trial date, Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024, said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remains valid.
Subsequently, Ejimakor asked that the case be transferred to a federal high court in the southeast if no judge in Abuja was willing to preside over it.
The separatist is being tried for alleged terrorism.
