The case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been reassigned to a new judge by the Federal High Court following months of legal wrangling over jurisdictional concerns. This decision comes after Kanu’s legal team persistently challenged the authority of Justice Binta Nyako to preside over the case.
During the last court hearing, Kanu openly rejected the authority of Justice Nyako, arguing that she had recused herself in September 2024 and, therefore, no longer had jurisdiction over his trial. His legal team had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), citing judicial misconduct and requesting the reassignment of his case to another judge.
At the February 10, 2025, court session, Kanu directly confronted the judge, insisting that her previous recusal could not be overturned by the Chief Judge’s administrative directive. The situation escalated when he declared that the courtroom had become a “shrine to injustice” and refused to recognize any rulings made by the presiding judge. In response to the courtroom impasse, Justice Nyako indefinitely adjourned the case.
On March 8, 2025, Nnamdi Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, announced that the case had been reassigned to a new judge. He stated that the legal team received two official letters—one from the Chief Justice of Nigeria acknowledging their petition and another from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court confirming the reassignment.
Kanu, through his legal team, expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for the swift intervention and to the public for their continued support. Ejimakor emphasized that Kanu had always been prepared to face trial, maintaining his innocence, but procedural irregularities had necessitated urgent legal action to safeguard his constitutional rights, including the right to a fair and speedy hearing.
More Read
With the reassignment now in place, Kanu’s legal team has pledged to focus on preparing his defense while awaiting further directives from the court on the next hearing date.
The reassignment marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle, addressing concerns raised by Kanu’s defense while setting the stage for the continuation of proceedings under a new judge.
