The Federal High Court (FHC) has debunked viral claims that Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the FHC, stepped down from presiding over Nnamdi Kanu’s case. In a statement by Chief Registrar Sulaiman Hassan, the court dismissed the reports as “false, misleading, and damaging,” reaffirming three key reasons why Kanu’s release remains unlikely:
1.No Judicial Withdrawal: Contrary to social media rumors, Justice Tsoho did *not* recuse himself or question the legality of Kanu’s arrest. The court clarified that Justice Tsoho, as Chief Judge, only reassigned the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice James Omotosho.
- False Narratives Discredited: The FHC labeled claims that Kanu’s arrest in Kenya was “illegal” as “entirely unfounded and fictitious,” stressing that no judge made such statements. This discredits arguments seeking to invalidate the trial on procedural grounds.
3.Trial Progression: The reassignment ensures the case continues without delay. The court urged Kanu’s legal team to prepare for directives from Justice Omotosho, signaling no intent to halt proceedings.
The FHC warned against misinformation eroding public trust in the judiciary and reiterated its commitment to due process. Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), faces terrorism charges, with the trial set to advance under the new judge.
