The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has reportedly received an unexpected notice to appear before Justice Binta Nyako, despite her earlier recusal from his case.
Kanu’s legal team, led by Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, had previously filed an application requesting the transfer of his trial from the Federal High Court in Abuja to any division in the South-East. The case, marked *FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015*, has been a subject of legal controversy since Kanu’s re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.
Justice Binta Nyako, who has presided over Kanu’s trial for years, reportedly stepped aside from handling the case due to concerns about impartiality and growing tensions surrounding the proceedings. However, Kanu’s legal representatives now claim that their client has been ordered to reappear before her without prior notice or explanation.
Ejimakor and his team argue that this development raises serious legal and procedural questions. They insist that any further hearings should be conducted in a neutral jurisdiction to ensure fairness and justice.
Kanu’s ongoing detention has been a contentious issue, drawing widespread reactions from political groups, human rights organizations, and international observers. The sudden directive for him to appear before a recused judge is likely to heighten tensions between the government and IPOB supporters.
Meanwhile, IPOB members and other pro-Biafra activists have reiterated their demands for Kanu’s unconditional release, citing previous court rulings that questioned the legality of his extradition and continued detention.
As the situation unfolds, Kanu’s defense team is expected to challenge the decision in court. Legal analysts suggest that this latest twist could further complicate an already sensitive case, with potential implications for Nigeria’s judicial integrity and human rights record.
Observers will be closely monitoring how the judiciary and government handle this unexpected turn in Kanu’s legal battle.
