The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to a new judge. This decision follows months of legal maneuvers and petitions, including a recent appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for intervention.
Kanu’s legal team, led by Special Counsel Aloy Ejimakor, had previously expressed concerns over the impartiality of the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, leading to her recusal in September 2024. Subsequently, the case remained in limbo, prompting Kanu to request either a transfer to a court in the South-East or reassignment to a different judge within Abuja.
The reassignment is anticipated to expedite the legal proceedings, which have been fraught with delays and controversies. Kanu has been in detention since 2021, facing charges related to treasonable felony and terrorism. The IPOB leader’s trial has been a focal point of national and international attention, reflecting deep-seated tensions within Nigeria.
