"Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Transfer of His Case to Another Judge for Fair Trial"

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken a significant step in his legal battle by submitting a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In the petition, Kanu, through his legal team led by Aloy Ejimakor, is requesting that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, reassign his case to another judge with the proper jurisdiction.

Kanu’s case has been a point of contention due to the involvement of Justice Binta Nyako, who is currently presiding over the matter. Kanu had previously accused her of bias, and as a result, she voluntarily recused herself from the case. Ejimakor highlighted that the legal consequence of such a recusal is that the judge is disqualified from any further involvement in the proceedings. This act of recusal is seen as a formal decision on the judge’s jurisdiction, which, once made, cannot be reversed without due process.

In his petition, Ejimakor emphasized that this issue goes beyond legal technicalities. He stressed that the public’s perception of fairness and the integrity of the judicial system are at stake. Allowing a judge to return to a case after voluntarily recusing themselves could potentially damage the public's trust in the judicial process. As Ejimakor put it, “If a judge unilaterally resumes a case after recusal, it creates a perception of partiality and undermines confidence in the judiciary.”

The legal team also revealed that Kanu had formally submitted a complaint against Justice Nyako to the National Judicial Council on January 14, 2025, though the petition is still pending a response. In light of this, Ejimakor is calling on the CJN to act decisively, ensuring that Kanu’s case is handled by a judge who can guarantee a fair trial. He has suggested that the case be transferred to either another judge in Abuja or a court located in the South-East, where Kanu has strong ties and where the proceedings might be seen as more impartial.

Kanu’s legal team continues to push for a resolution that will ensure his case is adjudicated in a manner that upholds the principles of fairness and justice.