The ongoing legal battle of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), his case has been reassigned to a new judge at the Federal High Court. This decision comes after a series of legal complications, including the recusal of the initial judge overseeing the matter.
The reassignment of Kanu’s case was confirmed by his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a statement released on Saturday. The statement, which was made public after a routine visitation to Kanu, revealed that two separate letters had been received concerning the case, marking a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings.
One of the letters, Ejimakor explained, came from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, who had responded to a request made by the legal team for an urgent administrative intervention in the case. The letter outlined the Chief Justice’s decision to oversee the reassignment process. The second letter, signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, officially communicated that the case had been handed over to another judge.
In his statement, Ejimakor expressed the gratitude of Nnamdi Kanu to both the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the public for their support in ensuring the proper handling of his case. Kanu, who has always maintained his innocence, was quick to reassure his supporters that he is ready to face trial once again, confident that he will be exonerated.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to face his trial,”Ejimakor said.“He is firmly convinced of his innocence. The recent events, which started with the recusal of the previous judge in September 2024, raised concerns about his constitutional rights, particularly his right to a fair and speedy trial. But now that the process is being set right, we are confident that the trial will proceed as it should, in line with the law.”
Kanu’s case has been a subject of national and international attention for several years, especially as his advocacy for the creation of an independent Biafra has drawn significant support and criticism in equal measure. He was arrested in 2015, and since then, his trial has been marked by delays, legal challenges, and multiple changes in the judicial handling of his case. The most recent challenge arose in September 2024, when the initial judge recused themselves from the case, leading to further uncertainty for Kanu and his legal team.
For months, Kanu’s legal team had called for the case to be reassigned, citing concerns about the delays and what they described as the unlawful conduct of the previous judge. The legal team also raised alarm over the potential violation of Kanu’s constitutional rights due to the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his trial.
The reassignment of the case is seen as a critical step towards ensuring that Kanu’s trial will proceed in a manner that upholds justice and fairness. The legal process will now be in the hands of a new judge, with both the prosecution and defence preparing for the upcoming trial.
