Politics
Nnamdi Kanu Opposes Federal Government’s Bid to Resume Trial, Demands Judge’s Recusal
Nnamdi Kanu Opposes Federal Government’s Bid to Resume Trial, Demands Judge’s Recusal
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has rejected the Federal Government’s request to resume his trial, insisting that Justice Binta Nyako must step aside as the presiding judge.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed this stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, maintaining that Justice Nyako’s earlier decision to recuse herself from the case remains valid.
Kanu, who faces seven charges of alleged treasonable felony and terrorism, was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria under controversial circumstances. He has consistently pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Background and Recusal Dispute
During the last court session on September 24, 2024, Kanu directly requested Justice Nyako’s recusal, expressing a lack of confidence in her handling of the case. Justice Nyako agreed and forwarded the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
However, the Chief Judge returned the case to Justice Nyako, explaining that two other judges had previously stepped aside from the matter. Given her extensive familiarity with the case since 2015, the Chief Judge deemed Justice Nyako the best-positioned judge to conclude the trial.
In a directive accompanying the reassignment, the Chief Judge stated that if Kanu still wished for Justice Nyako’s withdrawal, he must file a formal motion with an affidavit outlining his reasons, serve the prosecution, and await her determination.
Despite this instruction, Federal Government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) requested a new trial date in a December 5, 2024, letter to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar. Awomolo argued that the Chief Judge’s decision reinstated Justice Nyako as the presiding judge.
Kanu’s Rejection and Defense
In response, Ejimakor countered in a letter that Justice Nyako’s recusal order from September 24 remains valid and enforceable. “Our position is based on the fact that Justice Nyako entered and enrolled an order recusing herself on September 24, 2024, and to date, that order remains extant and subsisting. It has not been set aside by any competent court,” Ejimakor argued.
He accused the prosecution of attempting to mislead the court, insisting that Kanu no longer has a case before Justice Nyako.
During the previous court proceedings, Kanu expressed his mistrust in Justice Nyako’s impartiality, citing her alleged failure to enforce a Supreme Court directive. Addressing the court directly, Kanu stated:
“My Lord, I have no confidence in this court anymore and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. I can understand it if the DSS refused to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable.”
Kanu emphasized that his objection was not personal but rooted in his frustration with a trial he believes contravenes constitutional provisions.
Prosecution’s Position
Awomolo, however, dismissed Kanu’s objections as baseless, urging the court to proceed with the trial. “My Lord, you should not recuse yourself on the basis of this mere observation which does not have anything to do with the Supreme Court. It is an incompetent observation. We urge this court to proceed with the hearing,” he argued.
Kanu responded by presenting a document he claimed was a Supreme Court ruling that questioned the impartiality of the trial court.
Judge’s Decision
In the September 24 session, Justice Nyako formally recused herself, declaring:
“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.”
A History of Controversy
Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 upon his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. Detained at the Kuje Correctional Facility, he was granted bail in 2017 on health grounds. However, after a military raid on his home, Kanu fled the country, eventually returning to the UK.
In 2021, he was re-arrested in Kenya under contentious circumstances and extradited to Nigeria, where he has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Repeated applications for bail have been denied by Justice Nyako, fueling tensions between the defense and the prosecution.
What’s Next?
The controversy over Justice Nyako’s role and the Federal Government’s bid to resume the trial continues to unfold. With no formal resolution, Kanu’s trial remains in legal limbo, raising questions about the fairness and impartiality of the judicial process.
*Renewed Hope Ambassadors Step Into the Next Phase
Fresh from the successful APC 2026 National Convention, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National, Zonal, and State leadership gathered in Abuja over the weekend, for its fourth strategic meeting, setting the tone for nationwide grassroots activation ahead of 2027.
Chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma (Imo State) the Director General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, alongside Deputy Director-General, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State as Secretary, the session reinforced one clear direction: One Party. One Message. One Mobilization whilst also laying out a strategic roadmap for the activation of the network across all communities in Nigeria.
Backed by the strength of 31 APC-led states, the Renewed Hope Agenda is taking Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of progress and reform to every corner of Nigeria.
From bold economic restructuring to initiatives like NELFUND, the increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, and strategic investments in critical sectors, including PNiCGI, the mission remains clear: helping Nigerians understand both the purpose and the progress of the Renewed Hope vision.
This is coordination at scale. This is grassroots engagement with purpose. This is the next phase of Renewed Hope with One Party, One Message, and One Mobilisation framework
#RenewedHopeAmbassadors #APC #WeAreAPC
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.
Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.
Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.
He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.
The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.
He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.
Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.
His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.
Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.
“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.
The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.
Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.
All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.
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