Biafra: Again Nnamdi Kanu’s counsel forces Judge to hands off his trial

This is as he said he was returning the case file to Ibrahim Auta, Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, for reassignment.

He became the second judge to have withdrawn from the trial of Kanu who has been in detention since October 2015. He is facing treason charges levelled against him by Nigerian government for leading a separatist group.

Ahmed Mohammed was the first judge to step down from the case in December 2015, after the IPOB leader said he had no confidence in him.

Tsoho’s decision came as a result of an application by the legal team of Kanu led by Chuks Muoma, which accused Justice Tsoho of being biased in handling of the matter.

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Muoma, accusing the court of aligning itself with the alleged statement of President Muhammadu Buhari that Kanu was not going to be released under any circumstance said, “We are only asking the court to hands off, my client has lost confidence in this court.”

He said Kanu would proceed to the International Court of Justice, should the court refuse to grant the relief he sought for. He added that any proceedings in the case, when there is a petition written to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protest against the court, would “stifle it”.

Muoma said, “I understand that there is a letter to NJC, though I haven’t seen it and the CJ has replied saying that the matter will be investigated. I would urge you that you transfer the matter. I would suggest that it be sent back to the CJ.”

Tsoho, responding said, “I have no interest in trying your matter and I will return it to the CJ, but I will condemn the attitude of that counsel. I do not care if you take your case to another planet. Even if I am cleared of any bias by the NJC, I will not continue with this case.”

 

 

 

 

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