Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), indefinitely.
The court adjourned the suit following Kanu’s insistence that the judge cannot preside over his case.
During the trial yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told the court that the prosecution had filed and served all necessary processes in the suit and was ready to proceed with trial.
Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, insisted that that was not the issue before the court.
Nyako explained that although she does not want to preside over the case, the chief judge has refused her recusal and directed the defendant to file a formal motion asking for a re-assignment of the case to another judge.
While the lawyers in the suit argued over whether a formal motion was required, Kanu interjected, saying, “I want to speak”.
When the judge asked if he wanted to take over from his lawyer, the defendant said, “Yes, I want to take over.”
He told the court that he was only in court because he respected the court but that Nyako no longer had the jurisdiction to preside over his case following her recusal in September 2024.
He said: “I don’t recognise the authority of this court to preside over my case. Everything you said here is meaningless to me.”
“Why is it that when it comes to my case, everything is turned upside-down?”
He said the memo sent by the chief judge returning the case file to Nyako cannot override the court’s enrolled order on September 24.
When the judge told Kanu that he was at liberty to appeal the chief judge’s directive, Kanu said, “If the chief judge disagrees, he should appeal the decision.
“You cannot preside over this case, not now, today, or ever. “You stand recused, and you must leave my case. I don’t need you in my case. You are biased. Tell the chief judge that Nnamdi Kanu said so.
“This is not a court of law; this is a shrine to injustice, and I will not subject myself to it.”
In his submission, Awomolo asked the court to fix a date for trial.
“In view of the fact that the defendant has indicated that he will not make a formal application, I apply that your lordship gives us a definite date to be fixed for trial,” Awomolo prayed.
“Because of the money they are paying you from the AGF’s office, a grown-up man like you is here supporting evil. The rule of law says you should go on appeal,” Kanu replied.
In her ruling, Nyako said, “The only decision I can make right now is that, in light of what is happening now in court, I am going to adjourn this case sine die (indefinitely).”
“You have no jurisdiction to adjourn anything—none whatsoever. You cannot make an order without jurisdiction. The memo from the chief judge cannot confer jurisdiction upon you,” Kanu replied to the judge.
She, however, adjourned the case indefinitely.
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