On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This decision came after Kanu, through his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, insisted that Justice Nyako recuse herself from the case, citing her previous recusal.

Ejimakor stated, “The defendant is still asking that your lordship recuse herself from this matter.”

In response, Justice Nyako noted that the Chief Judge had not accepted her earlier recusal and had reassigned the case to her.

She advised the defense to submit a formal written application if they wished for her to step down.

She remarked, “The Chief Judge had not accepted the recusal and had referred the case back to me for trial.”

The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, expressed readiness to proceed, stating that their witnesses were prepared.

However, due to the defense’s objections, the court decided to adjourn the trial indefinitely.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021, facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony related to his separatist activities.

IPOB, which seeks the secession of southeastern Nigeria to form an independent Biafra nation, was designated a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017.

This marks the second time in recent months that Kanu has challenged Justice Nyako’s involvement in his trial.

In September 2024, he made an oral application requesting her recusal, leading to a temporary halt in proceedings.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The decision was made by Justice Binta Nyako after Kanu challenged her authority to preside over his case, citing her previous recusal.

This marks the second time in approximately four and a half months that Kanu has expressed a lack of confidence in Justice Nyako’s impartiality.

In January, Kanu filed a petition against Justice Nyako with the National Judicial Council, alleging judicial misconduct in her handling of his trial.

Subsequently, he requested that his case be transferred to the South-East if no other judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja was willing to preside over it, apart from Justice Nyako.

During the proceedings on Monday, Kanu disrupted the session by questioning the judge’s jurisdiction over his trial.

In response, Justice Nyako adjourned the case indefinitely, pending the resolution of the issues raised.

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken decisive action against two officials from the Upper Shari’a Court in Gwarzo Local Government Area due to their involvement in corrupt practices.

Hudu Idris, a Registrar at the court, has been compulsorily retired and demoted by one grade level for accepting bribes totaling N214,000.

Additionally, the contract of Bala Gwarzo, a casual watchman at the same court, has been terminated with immediate effect.

These decisions were among the key resolutions reached during the 79th meeting of the JSC, chaired by the Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, on February 6, 2025.

The actions followed a thorough review of a petition filed by Alhaji Sani Gado, which accused both Idris and Gwarzo of intimidation and bribery.

Upon investigation, both individuals appeared before the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) and admitted their involvement in the corrupt practices.

The Kano State JSC emphasized its firm stance against corruption and misconduct within the judiciary.

In line with its commitment to upholding the integrity of the judiciary, the Commission adopted the recommendations of the JPCC and took the following actions:

• Compulsory retirement of Hudu Idris, with a demotion of one grade level prior to retirement.
• Immediate termination of Bala Gwarzo’s contract.

Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy, the Commission reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining discipline and public trust in the justice system.

In the same meeting, the Commission reviewed the suspensions of three judicial officers—Bilya Abdullahi, Auwalu Ibrahim Khalil, and Ismaila Garba—over allegations of forging a court reversal order.

The case, initiated by a complaint from Muzdalifa, was investigated by the JPCC and subsequently referred to the police.

However, following a review by the Director of Public Prosecution, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the officers.

Consequently, the JSC lifted their suspensions with immediate effect.

In a significant step to enhance judicial efficiency, the JSC also approved the appointment of several individuals to key managerial positions within the Kano State Judiciary.

These appointments were made after careful consideration of the appointees’ work ethics, track records, integrity, and dedication to service.

The newly appointed officials include:

• Chief Magistrate Hajara Garba Ahmad – Acting Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice
• Musa Ibrahim Umar – Acting Deputy Chief Registrar (Administration & General Services), High Court of Justice
• Usman Adam – Acting Deputy Chief Registrar (Magistracy), High Court of Justice
• Fatima Garba Yakasai – Acting Deputy Chief Registrar (Legal), High Court of Justice

Additional appointments at the Kano State High Court of Justice include:

Chief Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu Bello – Acting Director, Judicial Service Commission

• Chief Magistrate Zuhura Madaki – Acting Director, Training Department
• Senior Magistrate Malikatu Mudh Nuraini – Acting Assistant Director, Training Department

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering a transparent, accountable, and efficient judicial system in the state.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking to remove 27 members of the state House of Assembly over their alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Musa Uwani-Abba-Aji struck out the case following Fubara’s decision to withdraw the appeal.

The governor, through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), informed the three-man panel that the matter had been overtaken by events and that the lawmakers were now considered allies.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not oppose the withdrawal but, through its counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), requested the outright dismissal of the case.

Olanipekun argued that since both parties had already exchanged legal arguments, the suit should not merely be struck out but dismissed entirely.

The Supreme Court agreed and dismissed the case, ordering Governor Fubara to pay N4 million in legal costs to the House of Assembly and its Speaker.

Speaking after the ruling, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Njemanze stated that the judgment had cleared the way for the 27 lawmakers to fully resume legislative duties.

He further noted that all actions taken in their absence, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 state budgets to just three lawmakers, were now void.

The decision aligns with earlier rulings on the matter. On October 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same issue.

Likewise, on January 22, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, invalidated the passage of the Rivers State N800 billion 2024 budget by four lawmakers loyal to the governor.

The judge ruled that such an action was unconstitutional and ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The 27 lawmakers had earlier secured a court order barring the governor from interfering in their legislative activities.

However, Fubara continued to challenge their authority by presenting the state budget without their involvement and allegedly withholding legislative funds.

The governor also ordered the partial demolition of the Assembly complex, preventing the lawmakers from holding sittings.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho condemned these actions, stating that Fubara had acted in defiance of court orders.

He ruled that all legislative decisions made by the governor’s faction were null and void.

The judge further ordered the immediate reinstatement of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Assembly and directed the Inspector-General of Police to deploy officers to secure the Assembly complex.

Additionally, the court restrained the National Assembly from assuming control of the Rivers State Assembly or entertaining any request from Fubara regarding legislative matters.

The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has announced plans to create a comprehensive database of traditional medicine practitioners across the country this year.

The Director General of the agency, Prof. Martins Emeje, made this known during a media briefing, stating that the initiative aims to integrate indigenous medical knowledge into Nigeria’s broader healthcare system.

“The agency is planning to establish research farms across the 774 LGAs of the country,” he revealed, emphasizing the importance of preserving and utilizing the country’s rich biodiversity for medical advancements.

Prof. Emeje also highlighted the agency’s commitment to addressing antimicrobial resistance, training traditional medicine practitioners, and documenting Nigeria’s diverse medicinal resources.

Expressing concern over Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported medicines, he stressed the need to tap into the vast potential of locally available medicinal plants.

“The natural medicine agency boss said it unveiled four indigenous oral medicines in 2024 as part of efforts to provide local solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.”

A key highlight of the event was the launch of Journalists for Natural Medicine (JONAMED), a coalition of media professionals dedicated to promoting Nigeria’s natural medicine sector.

A former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, has been arraigned on charges of false marriage, adultery, and related offences.

Turaki, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was granted bail in the sum of N1 million.

The police stated that the case stemmed from a petition dated August 9, 2024, which accused him of deceitfully inducing a belief in a lawful marriage, committing adultery, and engaging in criminal intimidation, offences contrary to sections 383, 387, and 388 of the Penal Code.

According to the charge, “Between December 2014 and August 2016, you, Barrister Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN), deceitfully cohabited with Ms Hadiza Musa Baffa at a hotel called Han’s Place.

“You also cohabited with her at Ideal Home Holiday, Asokoro, between August 2016 and November 2021. In November 2021, you rented an apartment for her at No. 12 Clement Akpamgbo Close, Guzape, and led her to believe you were married to her. You continuously had sexual relations with her, resulting in the birth of a baby girl.

“You later abandoned Hadiza Musa Baffa and her child, denying paternity, and threatened to use your influence and position to harm them.”

After Turaki entered his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Chijioke Okorie, requested a trial date.

The defendant’s lawyer, A. I. Mohammed, did not oppose the prosecution’s request but applied for bail, assuring the court that his client would be available whenever required.

Magistrate Abubakar Jega granted Turaki bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide proof of residence. The case was adjourned until March 11 for a hearing.

In 2024, Turaki had filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Inspector General of Police and the family members of Musa Baffa, including his wife, Uwani Arabi, and daughter, Hadiza Baffa, pending the determination of a paternity suit before a high court.

The former minister had alleged that Hadiza and her parents falsely accused him of fathering her child.