Confusion as Judge withdraws from Nnamdi Kanu’s trial during court session

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court has stepped down from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Her decision came after Kanu, during a court session on Tuesday, declared that he no longer had confidence in her handling of the case.

Kanu’s statement, in which he expressed distrust in the judge’s impartiality, prompted Justice Nyako to recuse herself from further proceedings. Though she did not provide detailed reasons for her withdrawal, it is standard for judges to remove themselves from cases when concerns about fairness or bias are raised.

Justice Nyako had presided over the case for several years, overseeing numerous hearings related to Kanu’s charges of treason and his involvement in the separatist movement. Her exit marks a significant turn in the trial, which has been one of the most closely watched in Nigeria, given Kanu’s prominence and the controversies surrounding IPOB’s activities.

With Justice Nyako stepping aside, it remains to be seen which judge will take over the case and how this development will affect the course of the legal battle.