Nnamdi Kanu apologises for insulting judge, lawyers

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has tendered an apology over his recent attacks on the Federal High Court and Justice Binta Nyako.

Kanu, through his new counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), also apologised to the federal government’s lawyer, Awomolo (SAN).

The IPOB leader equally apologised to his team of lawyers led by Aloy Ejimakor for also attacking them before Justice Nyako.

Kanu tendered the apology through his lead counsel, Agabi, before Justice James Omotosho, the new trial judge on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Upon the resumed trial, Agabi sought the court’s permission to deliver a message on Kanu’s behalf.

He said he had already discussed the development with the lawyer to the prosecution and Justice Omotosho granted the application.

Justice Omotosho had fixed March 21 for Kanu’s trial.

The judge fixed the date after the case file was transferred to him.

Kanu, who was brought back to the country in June 2021 from Kenya, was expected to take his plea as the case begins afresh (de novo).

Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial indefinitely

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.

The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge, after alleging bias.

Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew from the case and sent the case file to the CJ of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.

The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.

However, the CJ sent Kanu’s case file back to Justice Nyako for adjudication, insisting that a formal application must be made by the defence before the recusal could be accepted.

But Kanu and Ejimakor, on February 10, insisted that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction to preside over the case after her recusal (withdrawal) from the matter, prompting the judge to adjourn the case indefinitely.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed (who has been elevated to Appeal Court) and Justice Tsoho (before becoming the CJ) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges.

The Star