The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has revealed that the detained activist has received an impromptu notice from the Federal High Court to appear before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, who had previously recused herself from handling his case. This new development comes as Kanu's legal team and his family had concluded their routine visitation with him.
Kanu's Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, expressed surprise over the court's decision to schedule the hearing for Monday, February 10, 2025, given the recusal order issued by Justice Nyako in September 2024. Kanu had previously filed an application in court, requesting the transfer of the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, from the Abuja division to a Federal Court division in the Southeast, where the offenses are alleged to have had their greatest impact.
In their application dated January 30, 2025, Kanu's legal team cited that after Justice Nyako's recusal, the case file was sent to another judge in the Abuja division for reassignment. However, the team was informed that no judge in the Abuja division was willing to take the case, resulting in the case being returned to Justice Nyako.
The legal team has raised concerns, stating that sending the case back to Justice Nyako is unlawful, as she no longer has jurisdiction over the matter following her recusal. They are now requesting that the case be transferred to a division within the Southeast geopolitical zone, as the offenses involved are tied to the region. They argue that this would ensure proper jurisdiction and prevent a miscarriage of justice.
Ejimakor expressed that the legal team would appear in court with "bated breath" on February 10, as they await the court's decision on the matter.
As the situation continues to unfold, Kanu's supporters and the general public remain attentive to the legal proceedings and the ongoing efforts to resolve the case.
Stay tuned for further updates as we monitor this breaking story.
