Thursday, November 14, 2024
HomeNews2015 Treason Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu: Case File Returned To Justice Binta...

2015 Treason Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu: Case File Returned To Justice Binta Nyako

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria has returned the Kanu case file, directing that he must now file a motion on notice supported with an affidavit, formally stating the grounds for asking Justice Nyako to recuse herself.

Justice John Tsoho also added that Kanu must serve the motion on the prosecution legal team for its reaction, while Justice Nyako should review the processes from both sides, make a judicial pronouncement on them, and decide if to continue or not.

It was reported on September 24, 2024, that Justice Nyako had recused herself from the federal government’s treason and terrorism-related case against Kanu, which has been ongoing since 2015.

Kanu’s disruptive oral request during the court’s scheduled trial commencement caused her to withdraw.

The federal government had accused Kanu of broadcasting threats across Nigeria, warning that anyone who flouted a sit-at-home order in the southeast would face consequences and incite insurrection against the government.

The federal government further alleged that based on Kanu’s threats, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, and petrol stations in the southeast have remained closed.
Kanu denied the allegations, paving the way for trial; however, the trial has yet to materialise since 2015 due to claims and counterclaims by the defence and prosecution teams.

At the last hearing, the federal government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, requested that the trial commence.
Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, asked the court to adjourn the trial due to two pending appeals challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the health condition of his client, who has been in detention.

The judge then directed that a prosecution witness be called, allowing Kanu’s lawyers to confer with Kanu to cross-examine the prosecution witness the following day.
Kanu then stood up and confronted his counsel, instructing him to sit down.

He insisted that the Supreme Court ruled his fundamental rights should not be violated by the detaining authority, especially regarding access to his lawyers.

“I will not subject myself to this court,” Kanu stated, asking the judge to recuse herself from the matter, adding that he had lost confidence in her.

Awomolo countered Kanu, saying that the Supreme Court’s judgement delivered in 2023 regarding the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu mandated the court to proceed with the hearing and determination of Kanu’s trial.

“I have already recused myself from this case and will remit the file to the Chief Judge for further necessary action,” Nyako stated, saying she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacks confidence in her.

“I hereby recuse myself. I refer the case to the Chief Judge,” Nyako declared, indicating that Kanu had disrupted the proceedings.

RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Recent Comments