The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has issued an apology over his recent comments directed at the Federal High Court and Justice Binta Nyako.
The apology was delivered on Friday through Kanu’s new lead counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Kanu also extended his apologies to the federal government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), as well as to his former legal team, previously led by Aloy Ejimakor, for remarks made in court.
Agabi conveyed Kanu’s message during proceedings before the new trial judge, Justice James Omotosho.
He sought the court’s permission to address the matter, stating that the prosecution had already been informed. Justice Omotosho granted the request.
The case, initially presided over by Justice Nyako, was reassigned to Justice Omotosho after Kanu and his legal team accused the former judge of bias and requested a transfer.
Justice Nyako recused herself from the matter on September 24, 2024, citing the defendant’s loss of confidence in her court.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, later returned the case to Justice Nyako, insisting that a formal application was necessary for her withdrawal to be accepted.
Kanu’s legal team maintained that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction after her recusal.
This led to the indefinite adjournment of the case.
On March 4, Justice Tsoho formally informed Ejimakor that the case had been reassigned to Justice Omotosho.
With the transfer now complete, Justice Omotosho has fixed March 21 for trial to commence afresh. Kanu, who was extradited from Kenya in June 2021, is expected to take a fresh plea as the terrorism case begins de novo.
Previously, the case had been handled by Justices Ahmed Mohammed and John Tsoho, before being reassigned to Justice Nyako at the defendant’s request.