Nigeria
Nnamdi Kanu Petitions CJN Over Abuja Chief Judge’s Case Transfer
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has reported the Chief Judge of Abuja to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) over the transfer of his case. Read more on the legal dispute.
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has submitted a petition to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria. In his appeal, he requests that she instructs Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, to transfer his case to another judge who possesses appropriate jurisdiction.
In a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kanu’s legal team, headed by Aloy Ejimakor, contended that Justice Binta Nyako—who is currently overseeing the case—had already withdrawn from it due to Kanu’s accusations of partiality.
Kanu is confronting seven terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Ejimakor contended that according to legal principles, once a judge recuses themselves, they are no longer qualified to participate in the case.
He called for the CJN to administratively intervene and ensure that the case is reassigned.
Ejimakor stated, “When a judge voluntarily recuses themselves, they are instantly disqualified from continuing with the proceedings. A decision or order of recusal is similar to a jurisdictional ruling and cannot be overturned on a whim.”