Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, haa alleged that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was insisting on presiding over his trial due to corruption cases involving her husband and son.
Kanu made the claims on Monday while appearing in court for the continuation of his trial. In a viral video on social media, Kanu is heard accusing the judge of using her position for personal gain.
Alleged Terrorism: Nnamdi Kanu Questions Court’s Jurisdiction
“Justice Binta Nyako is using her position for personal gain. Her son and her husband are facing corruption charges. And they (the Nigerian government) told them that if they convict me, they will free the son and the husband,” Kanu alleged.
Although he did not provide details of the alleged cases, it is widely known that Murtala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa State, and his son, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, were being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a N29 billion fraud case.
Recall that Justice Nyako had previously announced her recusal from Kanu’s case following allegations of bias, but the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court later reassigned the case to her, sparking further protests from Kanu’s legal team.
During Monday’s court session, Kanu insisted that Nyako had disobeyed a Supreme Court ruling that restored his bail.
“There’s a breach of judicial oath. They have violated their judicial oath because they have shown bias, according to the Supreme Court,” he said.
He further questioned the insistence on his trial, arguing that the government had no case against him.
“A court order was entered. It was said clearly and succinctly that she (Justice Nyako) is no longer going to try me. Why are they insisting? Because they have no case against me, and they know it.”
Kanu also challenged the authority of the Chief Judge to reassign his case to Justtice Nyako despite her earlier withdrawal.
“This is a federal gazetted law of Nigeria that says the Chief Judge of Nigeria cannot tell Binta Nyako what to do,” he said while waving documents in court.
He further declared that he no longer recognised the court’s authority over him.
“She stands recused from my case and cannot try me. I came here out of courtesy and respect,” Kanu asserted.
The IPOB leader, who has been in detention since his arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021, reiterated his stance on Biafra’s independence.
“I am agitating for Biafra because I have the right to do so,” he stated.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that his extradition from Kenya was illegal and ordered his release. However, the Federal government refused to comply, arguing that his release could escalate insecurity in the South-East.
The government later appealed the ruling, and in December 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision, ordering the continuation of Kanu’s trial.