Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s principal attorney, rejected the Federal Government’s attempt to reopen the trial in a post on X on Tuesday, outlining his client’s stance.
Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has resisted the Federal Government’s request to resume his trial, stating that the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, must step aside.
Kanu, who is facing seven charges of terrorism and treason, was caught again in Kenya in 2021 and sent to Nigeria under extraordinary circumstances. He has entered a not guilty plea to every accusation.
Kanu asked Justice Nyako to disqualify herself during the most recent court session on September 24, 2024, stating that he had lost faith in her ability to handle the case. After agreeing to disqualify herself, Justice Nyako sent the case file to the Federal High Court’s Chief Judge for reassignment.
The Chief Judge, however, gave the case back to Justice Nyako, claiming that two other judges had already recused themselves and that Nyako was in the greatest position to wrap it up because she had been involved with it since 2015.
The Chief Judge advised that if Kanu still wanted Justice Nyako to stand aside, he must make a formal application with an affidavit stating his reasons, serve it on the prosecution, and await Justice Nyako’s ruling.