Federal high court in Abuja has ordered Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to appear for the continuation of his trial on February 10, 2025.
The hearing notice dated January 22, 2025, was sent to Aloy Ejimakor, the defendant’s lead counsel.
Reacting, Ejimakor said the development was shocking but that the defence counsels would show up with “bated breath”.
Recall that Kanu’s trial was stalled after Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.
During the court session, Kanu who is being tried for alleged terrorism, had asked Nyako to recuse herself from the trial, saying he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.
However, John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court rejected his request and reverted the file to Nyako on the ground.
The justice ordered that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.
Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, and addressed to the deputy chief registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, prosecution counsel asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Opposing the request for a trial date in a letter dated December 9, 2024, Ejimakor said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remains valid.
The lawyer asked that the case be transferred to a federal high court in the southeast if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it.
