“Nnamdi Kanu Accuses Judge of Bias, Links Trial to Family Corruption Cases”

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has leveled serious allegations against Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing her of using her position for personal gain due to corruption cases involving her family. Kanu made these claims during his court appearance on Monday for the continuation of his trial.

In a video that has since gone viral, Kanu alleged that Justice Nyako was insisting on overseeing his case because her husband, Murtala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa State, and their son, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, were facing corruption charges. He claimed that the Nigerian government had promised to secure their release if he were convicted.

Although Kanu did not provide specific details, it is known that the Nyakos are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a N29 billion fraud case. Justice Nyako had previously announced her recusal from the trial due to allegations of bias. However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court later reassigned the case to her, sparking protests from Kanu’s legal team.

During the session, Kanu maintained that Justice Nyako had defied a Supreme Court ruling that had reinstated his bail, accusing her of breaching her judicial oath by showing bias. “They have violated their judicial oath because they have shown bias, according to the Supreme Court,” Kanu stated.

He questioned why his trial was continuing, asserting that the government had no case against him. Kanu also challenged the authority of the Chief Judge, claiming that the re-assignment of his case to Justice Nyako was unlawful.

Waving documents in court, he emphasized, “This is a federal gazetted law of Nigeria that says the Chief Judge of Nigeria cannot tell Binta Nyako what to do.”

Kanu further declared that he no longer recognized the court’s authority over him, stating, “She stands recused from my case and cannot try me. I came here out of courtesy and respect.”

The IPOB leader, who has been in detention since his 2021 arrest and extradition from Kenya, reiterated his commitment to Biafra’s independence, stating, “I am agitating for Biafra because I have the right to do so.”

Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In 2022, a Court of Appeal ruling declared his extradition from Kenya illegal and ordered his release. However, the Federal government refused to comply, citing concerns that his release would worsen insecurity in the South-East. In December 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s ruling and ordered the continuation of Kanu’s trial.