Judge Recuses Herself from Kanu’s Trial After Request; Case Returned for Reassignment
Judge Recuses Herself from Kanu’s Trial After Request; Case Returned for Reassignment
On September 24, Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, following an oral request by Kanu during the court session.
“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” Nyako announced.
However, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chief Judge John Tsoho has since sent the case file back to Nyako. Tsoho stated that Kanu’s request must be presented formally through a motion on notice, and the application should be served to the prosecution, represented by the attorney-general of the federation.
In the previous court session, Kanu expressed his loss of confidence in Nyako’s ability to preside over the case, citing her alleged failure to follow a supreme court ruling.
“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,” Kanu stated directly to the judge.
He further remarked, “I can understand it if the Department of State Services (DSS) refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the supreme court is regrettable.”
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Though the prosecution urged the court to continue with the trial, Justice Nyako decided to recuse herself, opting to send the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment and any necessary further actions.
