UPDATED: Nnamdi Kanu tenders apology over misconduct in open court

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako and Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on the terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.

The IPOB leader pleaded for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.

Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Kanu Agabi, SSN.

In the emotion-ladden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in the open court.

Agabi said, Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.

“In expressing his anger, he attacked the federal high court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers. I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN. He deserves highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.

“We may have misgivings but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence to resolve our differences”, Agabi pleaded.

In a brief remark, Awomolo SAN said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him adding that, he was not a persecutor but prosecutor and will work to ensure quick resolution of the charges.

Meanwhile, at his fresh rearrangement on Friday, the IPOB leader pleaded not guilty to the seven count terrorism charges, bordering on alleged threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating illegal radio station to broadcast the Biafra messages preferred against him by the federal government.

Kanu’s fresh arraignment before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja was done amidst water tight security provided by operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS).

After the plea, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN announced to the court of his readiness to conduct the prosecution in line with the spirit and letters of the order of the Supreme Court for a fresh trial.

He asked for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses and also applied for accelerated hearing which was granted by the court.

Based on the request and having not objected by the defence counsel led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, Justice James Omotosho fixed April 29 and May 2 and 6, 2025 for trial.

Kanu, who was brought back to the country in June 2021 from Kenya had since been in the custody of the DSS on the order of court, also conceded to speedy trial of the charges against him.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4, 2025 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.

The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge after alleging bias.

Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, recuse herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment, saying she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal and Justice John Tsoho (before becoming the Chief Judge) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE