A video of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the secessionist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), smacking a member of his legal team has gone viral.

Kanu, who is currently detained, was visibly unhappy with Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja after she adjourned his trial indefinitely.

Nyako made the decision after Kanu insisted that she could not preside over his case since she had previously recused herself.

Recall that on September 24, Nyako stepped down from Kanu’s case following an oral application by the defendant. However, John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, reassigned the case back to her, stating that Kanu’s application must be formally presented before the court through a motion on notice.

In a letter dated December 5, 2024, and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, requested the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.

At the resumed hearing on February 10, Awomolo informed the court that the prosecution had filed and served all necessary processes and was ready to proceed.

However, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, argued that this was not the issue before the court.

Nyako clarified that, although she did not wish to preside over the case, the Chief Judge had refused to accept her recusal and directed the defendant to file a formal motion requesting the reassignment of the case to another judge.

As the lawyers debated whether a formal motion was required, Kanu interjected, shouting, “I want to speak.”

When the judge asked if he intended to take over from his lawyer, Kanu responded, “Yes, I want to take over.”

He stated that he only appeared in court out of respect for the judiciary but maintained that Nyako no longer had jurisdiction over his case following her recusal in September.

Lashing out at the prosecution counsel, Kanu said, “A grown man like you, who should be in the village ensuring that things are done properly, is here subverting the law.”

Turning to the judge, he declared, “I do not recognize this court’s authority over my case. Everything you have said here is meaningless to me.

“Why is it that when it comes to my case, everything is turned upside-down?”

Kanu argued that the memo from the Chief Judge reassigning the case to Nyako could not override the enrolled court order from September 24.

When Nyako told him he was free to appeal the Chief Judge’s directive, Kanu retorted, “If the Chief Judge disagrees, he should appeal the decision.

“You cannot preside over this case—not now, not today, not ever. You stand recused, and you must leave my case. I do not need you in my case. You are biased. Tell the Chief Judge that Nnamdi Kanu said so.

“This is not a court of law; this is a shrine of injustice, and I will not subject myself to it.”

In response, Awomolo urged the court to fix a date for the trial.

“In view of the fact that the defendant has indicated he will not file a formal application, I request that Your Lordship set a definite trial date,” Awomolo said.

Kanu fired back, “Because of the money you are receiving from the Attorney General’s office, a grown man like you is here supporting evil. The rule of law says you should go on appeal.”

He also criticized the Chief Judge’s memo, saying, “The same Chief Judge writing this ridiculous memo—I have challenged him before. He sat on appeal, I took him to the NJC, and he was recused. Why is he insisting on this case? He wants to embarrass Your Lordship by forcing you to sit on this matter.”

In her ruling, Nyako stated, “The only decision I can make right now is that, in light of what is happening in court, I am adjourning this case sine die (indefinitely).”

Kanu, however, objected, saying, “You have no jurisdiction to adjourn anything. None whatsoever. You cannot make an order without jurisdiction. The Chief Judge’s memo does not confer jurisdiction upon you.”