Terrorism/Treason: Nnamdi Kanu Questions Court’s Jurisdiction

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over his alleged terrorism case during a resumed hearing before Justice Binta Nyako. Despite Kanu’s objections and insistence that Justice Nyako lacks authority to hear his case, the judge adjourned proceedings indefinitely.

Kanu, who was brought back to Nigeria in June 2021 and has been in detention since, has been facing trial on terrorism and treason charges. His trial faced a setback when Justice Nyako recused herself on September 24, 2024, after Kanu expressed a lack of confidence in her handling of the case. However, Chief Judge John Tsoho reverted the matter to Nyako, citing the need for a formal motion on notice.

At the hearing on February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako clarified that the chief judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her. She instructed the defense team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, to submit a written application if they still insisted on the recusal.

Kanu, addressing the court, rejected Justice Nyako’s authority, stating that her statements were meaningless to him. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Judge’s decision to return the case to Nyako and maintained that the prosecution lacked grounds to pursue charges against him. He also claimed that Justice Nyako was biased and criticized the state of legal knowledge in Nigeria.

In response, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo objected to Kanu’s remarks and urged the court to set a firm hearing date. Despite the objections, Justice Nyako adjourned the case indefinitely.