LEADER of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court Abuja to recuse herself from his case as he has lost confidence in the court.
At the resumed hearing, the IPOB leader added that the judge has refused to obey orders of the Supreme Court.
Kanu spoke out in open court while asking the judge to recuse herself from his trial.
At the mention of the case on Tuesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor urged the court to postpone the commencement of trial, claiming that his client was denied the opportunity to prepare his defence.
But, before Ejimakor could conclude his submission, Kanu rose from where he sat in a dock and told his lawyer to sit down.
Kanu said: “Sit down! I say you should sit down,” adding, “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 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,” Kanu said.
He based his remarks on the Supreme Court’s decision which questioned the jurisdiction of where the alleged broadcast that the federal government is charging him with was made.
He also read a part of the judgment of the Supreme Court, where alleged bias against Justice Nyako was raised.
Justice Binta Nyako then replied that she would be happy to recuse herself from the trial, and had no problem with his request.
Although prosecution lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) urged the court to proceed with the trial, the judge decided otherwise.
Justice Binta proceeded to say: “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment and further necessary actions.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media