Poor knowledge of the law killing Nigeria – Nnamdi Kanu *As Justice Nyako adjourns case indefinitely

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By Iheanyi Chukwudi

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, lamented that poor knowledge of the law is killing Nigeria.

Kanu who questioned the jurisdiction of his alleged terrorism case when he was again brought before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the resumed hearing of his protracted case, said he can no long stand trial before her.

But despite Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case having recused herself earlier, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Recall that Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and on trial for alleged treason. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.

Kanu had directly told the judge that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

But the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, reverted the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.

Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.

The defence counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 opposed the request for a trial date, insísting that ruling of the judge recusing herself remained valid.

He asked that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it. His prayer, however, did not see the light of day.

However, at the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Nyako said the chief judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her and asked the defence team led by Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.

Earlier, the Prosecution counsel led by Adegboyega Awomolo, said they were ready for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were ready.

A very furious Kanu while addressing the court, questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako stressing that all that the judge said was meaningless to him.

Kanu who said he does not recognise the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako over him, disclosed that he was only in court because of the respect he has for the rule of law, adding that the judge had previously recused herself from the case.

Kanu said he was not happy with the decision of the chief judge who returned the case to Justice Nyako, insisting that the prosecution cannot prosecute him.

The IPOB leader insisted that Justice Nyako is biased over his case and should not preside over his case noting that "poor knowledge of the law is killing Nigeria."

The prosecution counsel took an objection to Kanu’s remarks and asked for a definite date for hearing since the prosecution has refused to file a written application. Awomolo said it was not right for Kanu to insult the court.