Detained leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has apologized over his recent outbursts and attacks on the Nigerian judiciary and Justice Binta Nyako who recused herself from his treasonable felony trial.
Kanu who tendered the apology during his re-arraignment on Friday before new judge, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, also presented his new legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), effectively ending the services of Barr. Aloy Ejimakor who has been his Special Counsel since his trial began in 2021.
After the case was called, Agabi announced his appearance for Kanu, and began by rendering an apology to the court and the federal government represented by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), noting that his client reacted out of anger and frustration due to his long incarceration and the unnecessary delays in his case.
While addressing the court, Agabi said a new legal team is now in a place where they must “apologise to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and his legal team.”
He acknowledged that the attack on Justice Nyako was unjustified and also apologised to Kanu’s former legal team whom the Biafran leader had verbally attacked at the last sitting.
Agabi also expressed regret for Kanu’s comments directed at the Federal Government’s counsel, who is also the chairman of the Body of Benchers, describing him as a lawyer held in high regard, and described his as a good man, but added that “everyone can’t be of like minds.”
He further pleaded for understanding, emphasizing the need to make room for errors and to strive to save, not destroy.
In response, the prosecution accepted the apology and assured the court of their commitment to ensuring an expeditious hearing of the case, and acknowledged the feelings of Kanu and the tension generated by the matter.
In his opening address, Justice Omotosho remarked that the length of the loltrial might have taken a toll on Kanu.
“When the defendant was first arraigned in 2015, he was 47. Now he is 57 and still does not know where he is headed. This may have led him to make certain comments that were not right,” he said, before also apologizing to the prosecution on behalf of Kanu.
In its fresh presentation, the prosecution informed the court of their readiness for trial, a position to which the defence team did not object and Justice Omotosho granted an accelerated hearing, considering that the case had been ongoing for 10 years, before adjourning to April 29, May 2, and May 6 for trial.