Nnamdi Kanu’s ‘terrorism’ trial begins afresh March 21 as new judge takes charge

In April 2022, Justice Binta Nyako struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge sheet.

The remaining seven counts were also quashed by the court of appeal on October 13, 2022, with the judge ordering Kanu’s release.

However, on October 28, 2022, the court of appeal granted a stay of execution on its verdict discharging Kanu after the federal government filed an appeal at the supreme court.

CASE REASSIGNED TO NEW JUDGE

Kanu had repeatedly asked Nyako to recuse herself from his case, alleging bias.

In September 2024, Nyako recused herself after an oral application by the defendant.

Two weeks later, John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, returned the case file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be formally brought before the court through a motion on notice.

On February 10, 2025, Nyako adjourned Kanu’s case indefinitely following the defendant’s insistence that the judge would not preside over his case since she had recused herself.

In a statement on March 8, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed receiving “two separate official letters” from Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), and Tsoho, informing him of the case reassignment.

The federal high court subsequently issued a statement confirming the reassignment of Kanu’s case to another judge.