The new judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja who is to handle the treason trial of self-acclaimed leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, may issue hearing notices to the parties in the case before the week runs out.
The Nation learnt that the case has now been re-assigned by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice James Omotosho.
It was not clear last night if the case file had been transmitted to the new judge’s court.
Hearing notices and other relevant information could only be communicated to the parties after the new court would have received the case file, a source told our correspondent.
Also, the court’s Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, has faulted reports that the new judge, to whom Kanu’s trial has been assigned, has withdrawn from handling it.
In a statement yesterday, Hassan described the report as false and misleading.
The statement reads: “The court unequivocally refutes the false and misleading report, alleging that the Honourable the Chief Judge, the Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, has stepped down from Nnamdi Kanu’s case and made statements regarding the legality of his arrest.
“This claim is entirely unfounded, fictitious, grossly mischievous, damaging in intent and should be disregarded in its entirety.
“The true position is that the Honourable Justice Tsoho, in his capacity as the Chief Judge, has reassigned Nnamdi Kanu’s case from Honourable Justice Binta Nyako to another (‘new’) judge.
“The report referred to is, therefore, totally spurious.
“The defence team should hence prepare to receive instructions regarding the case, as may be issued by the new judge.
“The Federal High Court strongly cautions against deliberate misinformation to mislead the public and erode confidence in the judicial system.
“We urge the general public to be wary and rely only on verified information from official court sources.
“The court remains steadfast in upholding justice through due process of the law.
“Any further enquiries should be directed to the court’s Information Department.”
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
