Federal High Court Denies Claims That Nnamdi Kanu’s New Trial Judge Stepped Down

Federal High Court Dismisses Reports of New Judge Stepping Down in Nnamdi Kanu’s Case

The Federal High Court has refuted claims that the newly assigned judge in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has stepped down.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Chief Registrar Sulaiman Hassan, the court described the circulating reports as “false and misleading.”

A social media publication had alleged that Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, had taken over Kanu’s case and later withdrew, citing the illegality of his arrest.

However, the statement dismissed the claim as “entirely unfounded, fictitious, grossly mischievous, and damaging in intent.”

“The attention of the Federal High Court’s management has been drawn to an online report making false claims about the Honourable Chief Judge, Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, stepping down from Nnamdi Kanu’s case and making statements on the legality of his arrest,” the statement read.

Clarifying the situation, Hassan explained that Justice Tsoho, in his role as Chief Judge, had reassigned the case from Justice Binta Nyako to a different judge.

“The report in question is completely baseless. The defence team should prepare to receive further instructions from the newly assigned judge,” Hassan added.

The Federal High Court also warned against the spread of misinformation intended to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the judicial system. The court urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.

Meanwhile, sources confirm that Kanu’s case has now been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho following Justice Nyako’s recusal.