JUST IN: Justice Binta Nyako steps down from Kanu’s trial

Justice Binta Nyako, the trial judge in the case between the federal government of Nigeria and the embattled leader of the Indigenous People Of People (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has withdrawn from the case.

She opted out of the trial on Tuesday following the outburst of the separatist leader that he had no confidence and trust in her.

At the mention of the case on Tuesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Alloy Ejimakor urged the court to postpone the commencement of trial, claiming that his client was denied the opportunity to prepare his defence.

But, before Ejimakor could conclude his submission, Kanu rose from where he sat in a dock and told his lawyer to sit down.

Kanu said, “Sit down! I say you should sit down,” adding “my lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.”

Although, the federal government lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, objected to Kanu’s request, the Judge insisted on recusing herself.

Awomolo had argued that the order to open the trial was in line with a Supreme Court Judgment, Justice Binta Nyako said she would prefer another judge to handle the trial.

The judge subsequently recused herself and ordered that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho for reassignment to another judge.