Nnamdi Kanu Tenders Apology to Court, Lawyers Ahead of Fresh Trial

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday issued a formal apology for his recent verbal attacks on the Federal High Court and Justice Binta Nyako. The apology was delivered through his new legal representative, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Kanu also extended the apology to the Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Akinlolu Awomolo, SAN, as well as his former team of lawyers led by Aloy Ejimakor, whom he had criticised during proceedings before Justice Nyako. The apology was conveyed in court before Justice James Omotosho, the newly assigned trial judge, after Chief Agabi sought and received the court’s permission to deliver the message on Kanu’s behalf.

Justice Omotosho had been assigned the case following a request by Kanu and his legal team for a change of judge, citing bias. This led to the case’s reassignment from Justice Nyako, who had previously recused herself from the matter on September 24, 2024, citing Kanu’s loss of confidence in her court. However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, later directed that any formal recusal must be backed by a formal application, temporarily returning the case to Justice Nyako.

Amid this back and forth, Kanu and his lead counsel insisted that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction over the case, leading her to adjourn proceedings indefinitely. The case is now set to begin afresh before Justice Omotosho, with trial proceedings scheduled to resume on March 21. Kanu, who was brought back to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021, is expected to take a fresh plea as the trial begins anew.