The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to a new judge following months of legal disputes.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday, revealing that the legal team received official correspondence regarding the reassignment.
Justice Binta Nyako, who previously presided over the case, had recused herself but was later reassigned to it—a move Kanu’s legal team vehemently opposed. On February 20, Kanu’s lawyers petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting her intervention.
Ejimakor disclosed that on Friday, March 7, they received two crucial letters—one from the CJN acknowledging their request and another from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court confirming the case’s reassignment.
“Yesterday, before visiting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we received two official letters regarding his case. One was from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, responding to our request for administrative intervention in ensuring a lawful reassignment. The other was from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, notifying us that the case has been reassigned to another judge,” the statement read.
Kanu, through his legal team, expressed gratitude to the CJN for her swift intervention and to the public for their support.
“To be clear, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to stand trial because he is convinced of his innocence. However, the events of the past six months, following the initial recusal, threatened his constitutional rights, particularly the right to a fair and speedy hearing. With this reassignment, he and his legal team will now focus on preparing for his defense,” Ejimakor added.
Kanu has been facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government, a case that has sparked widespread legal and political debates. The reassignment of his trial marks a critical turning point in the ongoing legal proceedings.
