The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to appear before Justice Binta Nyako for a hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025.
This directive was contained in a hearing notice dated January 22, 2025, and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.
The development comes amid ongoing legal battles over the jurisdiction of the case.
Kanu had previously demanded that his trial be relocated to a court in the South-East if no other judge in Abuja was willing to preside over the matter besides Justice Nyako.
During a court session on September 24, 2024, Kanu openly expressed his lack of confidence in Justice Nyako, prompting her to recuse herself and transfer the case to Justice Tsoho.
However, Justice Tsoho later reassigned the case back to Justice Nyako, a move Kanu’s legal team argues contradicts judicial procedures.
Kanu insists that Justice Nyako’s continued involvement violates her own recusal order and has directed his lawyers to challenge her authority over the case.
Reacting to the court’s hearing notice, Ejimakor expressed surprise, stating that they “shall appear with bated breath.”
The hearing notice reads in part:
“Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 – Hearing notice between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Plaintiff) and Nnamdi Kanu (Defendant). This case will be transferred from the general cause list to the hearing paper for Monday, February 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. If the business of the court permits, it will be heard on that day; otherwise, an adjournment date will be set without further notice.
“Any party seeking to postpone the hearing must apply promptly and provide supporting evidence if the request is based on factual grounds. All evidence, including witness testimonies and documents, must be presented at the hearing, as failure to do so may result in restrictions or additional costs imposed by the court.”
Meanwhile, in a letter dated January 30, 2025, Kanu’s legal team reaffirmed their request for the case to be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East, arguing that Abuja lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
Ejimakor stated that since Justice Nyako has already recused herself and no other judge in Abuja has taken over the case, the logical step is to transfer it to the South-East, where the alleged offences have greater relevance.
The court is expected to address these jurisdictional concerns at the upcoming hearing.
