In a turn of events, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho, has returned the request by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who asked the presiding judge of his case, Justice Binta Nyako, to recuse herself from his case.
Justice Tsoho rejected the request and returned Nnamdi Kanu’s case file to Justice Binta to handle, saying previously, two other judges had recused themselves from the case.
He also cited the fact that since Justice Nyako had handled the case for the longest time since 2015, she was in the best position to see it through to its conclusion.
However, if at the next hearing of the case, Nnamdi Kanu still insists on recusing Justice Nyako, he must file a written motion on Notice, with an affidavit, stating all the grounds for requesting the recusal.
He must also serve it to the prosecution team and appear before Justice Nyako for her review and determination after which she can make her decision. This is pending a new hearing date from the judge as confirmed by Kanu’s Lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.
Justice Nyako earlier recused herself from the case following an oral application by Kanu and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor. He had expressed his displeasure and loss of confidence in Justice Nyako, accusing her of disregarding Supreme Court orders.
