In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has reassigned the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to a new judge.

This comes after months of legal battles over the handling of his trial.

The decision follows persistent demands from Kanu’s legal team for a change in judicial oversight, citing concerns over bias.

Justice Binta Nyako, who had presided over the case, stepped down in September 2024 after Kanu objected to her continued involvement.

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Despite initial resistance from the judiciary, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has now approved the reassignment.

Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development, revealing that they received official communication from both the Chief Judge and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

“Yesterday (Friday), we received two official letters. One was from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), responding to our request for administrative intervention, while the other was from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, informing us that the case has been reassigned,” Ejimakor stated.

He also reiterated Kanu’s readiness to defend himself, emphasizing that the delays had infringed on his right to a fair hearing.

“To be sure, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to take his trial because he is firmly convinced of his innocence. But the perverse events of the past six months… posed portent dangers to his constitutional rights, particularly his right to a fair and speedy hearing,” he added.

Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015, has had a tumultuous legal journey. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country following a military raid at his residence in Abia State.

His re-arrest in Kenya in 2021 and subsequent extradition to Nigeria reignited the case, keeping him in detention under the Department of State Services (DSS).

While the Court of Appeal ruled for his release in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the decision in 2023, allowing the Federal Government to proceed with its treasonable felony charges.

The judiciary has yet to reveal the name of the new judge, but the reassignment signals a possible turning point in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials.

The Federal High Courts in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State, have sentenced four notorious drug traffickers to a total of 95 years in prison after convicting them of smuggling illicit drugs valued at over N4.6 billion.

The convicts — Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), and Zidon Zurga — also had their luxury vehicles forfeited to the Federal Government, according to a statement issued on Friday by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, 48, was arrested on September 18, 2024, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle 817 wraps of cocaine, weighing 19.40kg, with a street value of N4.65 billion.

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This was not his first brush with the law. Babafemi revealed that Ogbuji had previously been apprehended at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 10, 2023, after arriving from Uganda via Ethiopia.

During that arrest, he was found to have ingested 93 pellets of cocaine, with a total weight of 1.986kg.

“He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12, Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, in charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023, and convicted on July 13, 2023.

“Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with an option of paying a N3 million fine, which he paid and was set free,” Babafemi stated.

However, less than 16 months later, he was caught again—this time with an even larger consignment of cocaine.

Following his re-arrest, he was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/845C, on January 16, 2025.

On February 28, 2025, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment on one count, with an option of a N7 million fine, and 10 years imprisonment on another count, without the option of a fine.

“He was eventually sentenced on 28th February to five years imprisonment on count one with an option of seven million naira fine and 10 years imprisonment on count two without an option of fine.

“In the event that he failed to pay the N7 million fine, the judge ruled that the convict will serve a total of 15 years in jail consecutively. The court ordered the forfeiture of monetary exhibits and other items found on him at the time of his arrest,” Babafemi said.

Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, 51, was arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on December 31, 2021, after being found with 58 wraps of cocaine.

“While in transit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he excreted 48 wraps, while the remaining 10 wraps were expelled under NDLEA custody,” Babafemi stated.

After three years of prosecution, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, with five years on each count, running concurrently from March 5, 2025.

Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don) and Zidon Zurga were apprehended on November 25, 2024, along the Numan-Yola Road, while smuggling 500.8kg of skunk, a highly potent strain of cannabis.

They had hidden the illicit drugs inside a Toyota Hilux (Lagos NT 829 AAA) and a Prado SUV with a fake presidency number plate (01B-266 FG).

Following their trial before Justice Bala Usman of the Federal High Court, Yola, both men were convicted on February 7, 2025, and sentenced to 35 years imprisonment each on two counts.

“The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of the two jeeps used in trafficking the illicit drug consignment,” Babafemi said.

The NDLEA reiterated its determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, warning that those involved in illicit drug trade will face the full weight of the law.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to ensure that those responsible for the February 21 killings in seven communities of Ovia South West Local Government Area are brought to justice.

According to a government house statement on Friday, in Benin City, he also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the area.

During an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected communities, Gov Okpebholo pledged to facilitate the establishment of a police outpost to prevent future attacks and enhance security.

He emphasized that peace and security remain his primary responsibility, stressing that no crime will go unpunished under his leadership.

“From the testimonies I have heard and the investigations conducted, these are criminals who invade your farms to steal the crops you have laboured for. As a Government, we will go after them. I assure you that you will live here in peace. Our actions will prove that lasting peace is coming. No individual should be more powerful than an entire community—burning houses and killing people just to steal farm produce. Wherever they are hiding, we will hunt them down, bring them to justice, and ensure that peace prevails,” Okpebholo declared.

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The governor urged the residents to remain calm and not take the law into their hands, assuring them of Government intervention.

“I understand your pain, but I urge you to take heart. Do not fight anyone or resort to violence. Maintain the peace as you have been doing. I assure you that we will work here so you can feel the presence of the government and experience real development. We have already deployed soldiers to the area, and we now have three additional Operation Rescue patrol vehicles to support them. Once I return to Benin, I will liaise with the Commissioner of Police to expedite the establishment of a police outpost to ensure sustained security,” he stated.
In furtherance of his peace efforts, Governor Okpebholo also met with leaders and members of Gbelebe, a neighbouring Ijaw community, where he sued for harmony and assured them of government support.

“My core mission as Governor is to restore peace and bring development. Without peace, there can be no progress. These killings and conflicts must stop. This is a large community with no roads and no electricity, and yet, instead of focusing on development, criminality persists. I assure you that my administration will gradually bring meaningful development here,” the Governor assured.

Leaders from Madoti and Gbelebe communities recounted that the crisis erupted when hoodlums attempted to steal farm produce from farmers in Madoti’s farm settlements but were confronted by a newly formed local vigilante group.

They lamented the long-standing menace of farm theft and pleaded with the Governor to intensify efforts in protecting lives and property, ensuring that farmers could work without fear of attacks.