Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for Friday, March 21, 2025. This decision follows the reassignment of the case to Justice Omotosho after the case file was transferred.
Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. The case had previously been under the jurisdiction of Justice Binta Nyako. However, Justice Nyako recused herself from the matter on September 24, 2024, following allegations of bias raised by Kanu and his legal team, who requested the case be transferred to another judge.
Justice Nyako’s recusal prompted the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to initially return the case to her, insisting that Kanu’s legal team file a formal application for recusal. However, Kanu’s team opposed the decision to continue proceedings before Justice Nyako, leading to the case being adjourned sine die (indefinitely).
On February 20, 2025, Kanu’s legal team wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting her intervention. They sought that the case be reassigned to another judge in the Federal High Court in Abuja or transferred to a court in the Southeast.
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In a statement on March 8, 2025, Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed that they had received two letters regarding the case. One letter came from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and another from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, confirming that the case had been reassigned to Justice Omotosho. The trial is now scheduled to resume on March 21, 2025.
