The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is set to resume on Friday, March 21, 2025, as confirmed by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. This highly anticipated development follows the reassignment of the case after Kanu’s legal team raised concerns about bias under the previous judge.
Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge brought by the Federal Government. However, his legal journey has been anything but straightforward. After accusations of partiality, Justice Binta Nyako, the previous judge overseeing the case, recused herself on September 24, 2024. Kanu’s legal team had called for her removal, which led to a period of uncertainty about the future of the trial.
Initially, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, ruled that the case should remain with Justice Nyako unless Kanu’s legal team formally applied for her recusal. However, this decision was met with opposition from Kanu, resulting in the indefinite adjournment of the case.
In February 2025, Kanu’s lawyers escalated the matter by seeking intervention from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, requesting that the case be transferred to another judge or moved to a court in the Southeast. The Chief Judge later confirmed that the case would be reassigned, and Justice Omotosho has now been designated to lead the proceedings.
The March 21 court date is set to mark the next chapter in a legal battle that has captured national attention. The eyes of the nation are now on how the case will unfold under the new presiding judge.
