Justice Binta Nyako of federal high court sitting in Abuja has stepped down as the judge presiding over the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This comes after Kanu at the resumed court session on Tuesday, asked Nyako to recuse herself from the trial, saying he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.
Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to federal government had told the court that he had a witness and seemed his protection. He added that he was ready to proceed with trial.
Alloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu then told the court that his team was not ready to proceed with the trial, saying his client has consistently been denied the opportunity to adequately prepare for his defence.
While the lawyer was still addressing the court, Kanu rose from the dock and ordered Ejimakor to sit down.
He yelled, “Sit down! I say you should sit down!.”
Facing the judge, Kanu said, “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the supreme court.”
“I can understand it if the Department of State Services (DSS) refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the supreme court is regrettable.”
“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”
Though the prosecution counsel urged the court to proceed with the trial, the judge said she would refuse herself from the case and send the case file back to the chief judge.
She said, “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge.”
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