Crime
Court Reassigns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial To New Judge
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.
READ ALSO: No End In Sight: Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Stalls Over Judge Selection Battle
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.
Professional efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has led to discovery of crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Rivers and Delta States.
It was gathered that operatives of the NN discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in both states.
These unfolded during separate operations by NN Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026, relying on credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations also led to the discovery of illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.
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He said the operations represented a significant disruption to the activities of oil thieves and illegal refiners, particularly by targeting the infrastructure used to store and process stolen petroleum products.
Folorunsho added that the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest operations, the Navy said, underscored its continued efforts to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the oil-producing region and deny them access to infrastructure required to carry out crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy also reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas resources and curb activities capable of undermining the country’s economy and environment.
Drama unfolded at the Upper Area Court 2 in Otukpo, Benue State, as a former councillor, Daniel Ujah, was remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged assault and attempted culpable homicide.
Ujah, 43, who represented Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police on charges including criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt, and attempted culpable homicide.
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The charges followed a petition filed by Rebecca Adole at the Area Commander’s Office in Otukpo, according to the First Information Report marked CR33/2026.
The police alleged that on August 28, 2026, Ujah trespassed into the compound of Adole’s mother, Amina Iduh, at Akwutulo, Awume, where he allegedly assaulted her.
According to the FIR, Iduh had returned from the farm when she was allegedly attacked, beaten and pushed into a fire, leaving her with injuries to her buttocks. Her clothes were also reportedly burnt during the incident.
The police said the woman was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyagede, Ohimini Local Government Area, where she is receiving treatment.
Ujah was also accused of threatening to kill the woman and allegedly claiming that nobody would be able to stop him.
When the case came up for mention on Wednesday, Ujah pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, applied for bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the application.
Presiding magistrate, Hasia Garuba, subsequently ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The court adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for further mention.
The Lagos State Police Command has declared two men, Tomiloye Sunday and Oloyede Olowoyo, wanted over an alleged N115 million fraud.
The suspects were declared wanted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following allegations that they conspired with others still at large to obtain N115 million from a complainant under false pretences.
SEE MORE: Lagos Police Nab Man For Allegedly Stabbing Wife To Death
Separate wanted notices issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday detailed the allegations against the two men.
According to the police, Sunday is wanted over alleged conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
The command alleged that Sunday conspired with other suspects, who are still at large, to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The police notice partly read, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
Olowoyo was also declared wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police alleged that he similarly conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The notice stated, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
The police identified Sunday’s last known address as Ikorodu, Lagos, and described him as a short, medium-built Yoruba man with a round face, upturned nose, small mouth, thin lips and dark complexion. He was also said to be bald.
Olowoyo’s last known address was given as No. 1, Commercial Avenue, Highway Barracks, Sabo, Lagos.
He was described as a heavy-built Yoruba man with a round face, long pointed nose, medium mouth, thick lips, prominent eyes and light complexion.
The command urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of either suspect to report to the nearest police station or the SCID, Musiliu Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Members of the public can also contact the police on 07073457317.
The allegations against the two men have not been established in court.
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