Rita Odafe
Nnamdi Kanu Returned to DSS Custody
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been returned to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) following an indefinite adjournment of his trial.
Judge Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja announced the indefinite adjournment on Monday after Kanu argued that she could not preside over his trial since she had previously recused herself from the case.
On September 24, 2024, Justice Nyako stepped aside during the proceedings after Kanu expressed a lack of confidence in her ability to handle the trial. She stated, “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file to the chief judge.”
Despite the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, returning the case to Justice Nyako for further proceedings, Kanu’s legal team maintained that her recusal remained valid. Kanu’s attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, requested that the trial be moved to an appropriate Federal High Court in the Southeast if no judge in Abuja was willing to take on the case.
During proceedings on Monday, the prosecution claimed they had completed all necessary preparations for the trial. However, Kanu’s team argued that instead of discussing trial readiness, the validity of the judge’s recusal was the primary concern.
Justice Nyako reiterated her preference not to handle the case but stated that the Chief Judge had directed her to remain involved until a formal motion was submitted to reassign the trial.
In a heated exchange, Kanu interrupted, asserting he wanted to speak and declared his intention to take control of his defense, emphasizing that he did not recognize the court’s authority in his case after the prior recusal. He accused the prosecutors of undermining the law and declared the court a “shrine to injustice.”
Throughout the session, Kanu vocally rejected the judge’s jurisdiction, stating, “You cannot preside over this case, not now, not today, not ever.” He suggested that a memo from the Chief Judge could not override the previous court order regarding his recusal.
In ruling, Justice Nyako concluded, “I am going to adjourn this case sine die meaning indefinitely,” prompting Kanu to again argue against her authority to issue such an order.
Following the ruling, Kanu was escorted out of the courtroom by DSS personnel and returned to custody as directed by the court.
