From Mohammed to Omotosho: The four Judges who handled Kanu’s case

By Paul Dada

The long-running trial of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was, indeed one of the most politically sensitive ones in the history of  the country.

The judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Thursday, closes a turbulent judicial journey marked by withdrawals, disputes over confidence, and repeated restarts under four different judges of the Federal High Court. However, there is still a room for appeals at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed’s  withdawal after allegation of bias

Justice Ahmed Mohammed who is now a  Justice of the Court of Appeal, was the first was the first to handle key aspects of the prosecution when it the matter began in 2015.

But tensions erupted when Kanu’s legal team repeatedly alleged that the judge was unfair and under  political influence.

Justice Mohammed recused himself from the matter even though he did not publicy give the reason for his decison. His recusal was however, linked to the intense pressure from both supporters and critics of Kanu, which created an atmosphere the court found difficult to manage. Also the defence claims of possible bias, ostensibly led to Justice Mohammed dropping the case.

Justice John Tsoho’s  alleged withdawal over protests by defence 

Justice John Tsoho, who later became the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, took over the case after Justice Mohammed. But his time on the matter was also short-lived.   Kanu’s defence team accused the judge of ruling in ways that suggested pre-determination. A petition was written against him to the National Judicial Council.

Justice Tsoho stepped down from the case.

Howver, the Federal High Court in a statement signed by its Chief Registrar said, Justice Tsoho who had been appointed as the Chief Judge, only reassigned the case as part of his administrative duties.

Justice Binta Nyako’s withdawal a fter Kanu declared he had no confidence in her

Justice Binta Nyako took over the case from Justice Tsoho. She handled the case longer than the previous judges. But she started to have problems with Kanu during hearings in 2024.

Kanu publicly told her in court that he had no confidence in her.  The defence team accused her of bias, and this disrupted the progress of the case. Justice Nyako stepping aside to prevent further conflict and allow the court to maintain credibility. “I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge,” she declared.

Justice James Omotosho the judge who brought the case to a close

The case was  transferred in early 2025 to Justice James Kolawole Omotosh. he started the matter de novo (afresh) and delivered his judgement on Thursday 20th Novemeber.

The judge proceeded to convict him of life imprisonment for counts 1, 4, 5 and 6. For count 3, the judge sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment with no option of fine. Kanu was further jailed five years for count 7. The judge ordered that the sentence should run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho further ordered that Kanu be placed in a prison suitable for him because of his tendency to be violent. He particularly ordered that he should not be kept in Kuje Custodial Centre.

He said Kanu used digital devices to incite violence. “Based on that, without the hesitation, I agree with the prosecution; the convict must not not be allowed access to any digital device. And if he must, he must be monitored by the office of the National Security Adviser,” the judge ordered.