An unusual event occurred at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday when Justice Binta Nyako was “forced” to announce her withdrawal from Nnamdi Kanu’s trial.
Kanu, who is facing seven-count terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government, openly expressed loss of confidence in the court.
His complaint is about the alleged bias and the alleged failure by the judge to follow the orders of the Supreme Court.
The judge immediately heeded Kanu’s request to step down, saying she would return Kanu’s case file to the chief judge for reassignment.
In a surprising move during court proceedings on Tuesday, Kanu got up and directed his counsel, Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, to take his seat, interrupting Ejimakor’s argument to suspend the trial due to insufficient time to prepare his defence.
Kanu to the lawyer:Sit down! I say you should sit down!
According to Persecondnews, Kanu, while addressing the judge, said: “My Lord, I have no confidence in this court any more, 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 refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable.
“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”
The prosecution counsel, Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), attempted to persuade Nyako to continue Kanu’s trial, but she declined, stating she intended to recuse herself from the case due to Kanu’s loss of confidence in the court.
She declared: “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge.”
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