The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has received a court order, directing him to appear for a hearing on Monday, February 10 at of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The hearing notice, dated January 22, 2025, was addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.
Recall that Kanu had earlier requested that his case be transferred to the South-East if no judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja was willing to handle it, apart from Justice Nyako.
On September 24, 2024, during one of the court sessions, Kanu requested the open court that Justice Nyako recuse herself from his trial, citing a lack of confidence in her handling of the case.
Following this request, Justice Nyako recused herself and transferred the case file to Justice Tsoho. However, Justice Tsoho subsequently returned the case file to Justice Nyako for the continuation of the trial.
Kanu has since maintained that Justice Nyako presiding over the case after her recusal would amount to a violation of her own judicial orders.
He instructed his legal team to ensure that she refrains from handling the case.
In response to the hearing notice, Ejimakor expressed surprise, stating that they “shall appear with bated breath.”
The hearing notice read partly, “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, the 10th day of February 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the forenoon and will come on to be heard on that day if the business of the court permits, or otherwise on some adjournment day of which you will receive no further notice.
“If either party desires to postpone the hearing, they must apply to the Court as soon as possible for that purpose. If the application is based on any matter of fact, the applicant must be prepared to provide proof of those facts.
“The parties are warned that at the hearing, they are required to bring forward all the evidence by witnesses or documents they desire to rely on in support of their case or in contradiction of their opponent’s case. The proof will be required at the hearing and not on a subsequent day. Parties failing to bring their evidence forward at the proper time may find themselves precluded from adducing it, or, at best, allowed to do so on payment of substantial costs to the other side and under such terms as the Court deems fit.”
