The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is set to resume on Friday, March 21, 2025, under Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision comes after the case was reassigned following Justice Binta Nyako’s recusal.
Kanu, who is facing a seven-count terrorism charge from the Federal Government, had previously raised concerns of bias against Justice Nyako, prompting her withdrawal from the case.
Justice Nyako’s recusal, announced on September 24, 2024, followed persistent legal challenges from Kanu’s defense team.
Initially, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, returned the case to Nyako, instructing Kanu’s legal representatives to file a formal application if they wanted her to step down.
However, Kanu and his team refused to appear before her, leading to the case being adjourned indefinitely.
On February 20, 2025, Kanu’s legal team escalated the matter, writing to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the case be reassigned to another judge in Abuja or transferred to the Southeast.
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Following deliberations, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, reassigned the case to Justice James Omotosho.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed on March 8 that they had received two official letters—one from the CJN and another from Justice Tsoho—confirming the change.
With this reassignment, proceedings are now set to resume on March 21, marking the latest development in a case that has drawn widespread legal and political attention.