The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was re-arraigned on Friday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

After the case was called, Kanu Agabi announced his appearance for Kanu, while Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) represented the Federal Government.

Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

Justice Omotosho was assigned the case after Justice Binta Nyako, the previous judge presiding over the matter, recused herself following Kanu’s request for a new judge.

Justice Nyako’s recusal on September 24, 2024, was in response to allegations of bias raised by Kanu and his legal team, who sought the transfer of the case to another judge.

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015, following his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.

He was later granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at the Kuje Correctional Facility.

However, Kanu jumped bail and returned to the United Kingdom.

He was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services to date.

Upon Kanu’s request for a new judge and the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho.

At the resumed sitting, Agabi began by apologising to the court on behalf of Kanu, stating, “They are now at a place where they must apologise to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and his legal team.”

Agabi added that Kanu had been angry for a long time.

He acknowledged that the attack on Justice Nyako was unjustified and apologised to Kanu’s team, whom Kanu had verbally attacked at the last sitting.

He also expressed regret for Kanu’s comments directed at the Federal Government’s counsel, who is also the chairman of the Body of Benchers, describing him as a lawyer held in high regard.

Agabi described Kanu as a good man and stated, “Everyone can’t be of like minds.”

He pleaded for understanding, emphasizing the need to make room for errors and to strive to save, not destroy.

In response, the prosecution accepted the apology and assured the court of their commitment to ensuring an expeditious hearing of the case.

Awomolo acknowledged the feelings of Kanu and the tension generated by the matter.




https://punchng.com/kanu-re-arraigned-before-new-judge-lawyer-apologises-to-court/