Justice Nyako Recuses Herself from Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has stated that she will “recuse” herself from Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

She decided after Kanu requested her to, claiming that she had refused to follow the Supreme Court’s order.

Kanu also stated that he had lost confidence in the court.

He spoke out at the open court during the resumption of his trial on Tuesday.

Justice Binta Nyako then responded that she would be pleased to recuse herself from the trial and had no objections to his request.

She said she would be sending the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment and further necessary actions.

Kanu then vehemently ordered his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor to sit down while he stood up from the dock to address Justice Nyako.

He based his remarks on the Supreme Court’s decision which questioned the jurisdiction of where the alleged broadcast that the federal court is charging him on was made.

Sit down! “I say you should sit down!” Kanu had yelled at his attorney.

Speaking further, he continued, “My Lord, I have lost faith in this court, and I want you to withdraw yourself because you did not follow the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“I understand if the DSS refuses to respect a court order, but this court’s refusal to obey a Supreme Court order is disappointing.

“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

He also read a portion of the Supreme Court order in which potential prejudice against Justice Nyako was questioned.

Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel for the Federal Government, had previously informed the court that he was prepared for the start of the trial, but that it could not take place under the current circumstances.

Awomolo attempted to persuade Justice Nyako to proceed with the trial, but she responded that she had been asked to recuse herself from the case.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge,” she told the crowd.

The Federal Government re-arrested Kanu in Kenya in 2021 and brought him to the country to face terrorism charges.

Despite his plea of not guilty to the charges, Justice Nyako refused to admit him to bail on the grounds that he skipped the last one, in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order.