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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Abuja High Court judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to redeem her image and hands off its leader’s court trial.
The Eastern Updates reports that Justice Nyako has been handling the matter involving the separatist leader since he was first arrested in 2016.
Spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, in a statement yesterday said recusing herself from the case would be well accepted, insisting that it had lost confidence in the judge.
Explaining reasons for not wanting Nyako to continue handling Kanu’s trial, IPOB said: “During the last court appearance of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on April 17, 2024, Justice Binta Nyako openly threatened to adjourn the case indefinitely because she was not allowed the liberty to execute the scripted judgement against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Justice Binta Nyako has made herself an interested party in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case instead of being a non-partisan and unbiased judge. A judge that has no control over her court should not handle a high-profile case like that of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
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“Justice Binta Nyako should redeem herself and recuse herself or step down from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case because she is already compromised and controlled by those who sent her because of their political interests.
“Since the kidnap and rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in June 2021, and illegal arraignment before Justice Binta Nyako’s Court without legal representation, Justice Binta Nyako has not given Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a breathing space to express himself in order to allow for a fair hearing.
“She has always displayed personal hatred against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in her court. Maybe she wants a pound of flesh from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for forming the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which is dislodging terrorists herdsmen from Biafran bushes and forests.”
He added, “Though the Supreme Court, in their weakness, ruled that the Nigeria government committed an international crime in bringing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu back to Nigeria.
The same Supreme Court ruled that the Nigerian military’s invasion of Mazi Kanu’s residence on 14th of September 2017 was responsible for him fleeing and that Justice Binta Nyako should have not revoked his bail.
“Justice Binta Nyako should have reinstated Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s bail and apologised to him for tampering with his fundamental human rights. No! She never reinstated Mazi Kanu’s bail. Instead, she refused Mazi Kanu’s fresh applications for bail or transfer from the DSS solitary confinement to a correctional center because she has a hidden hatred and agenda.
“The actions and antecedent of Binta Nyako indicated that she will rule against this innocent man for reasons best known to her.
“IPOB demands that she rescue herself and save herself and her family of shame and unforgivable erroneous judgment,” the self-determination group submitted.
The Eastern Updates reports that Prince Emmanuel Kanu, sibling of the detained IPOB leader had a fortnight ago condemned the Southeast governors for their silence on the extended detention of the pro-Biafra campaigner, highlighting their inaction amidst a critical moment for the region.
