The Federal High Court has made clarification that the newly assigned judge in Nnamdi Kanu’s case has not stepped down. This followed reports that the newly assigned judge in the case of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has declined the case.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Court, Sulaiman Hassan, on Tuesday.
This is as he described the reports as “false and misleading.”
A publication circulating on social media on Tuesday had claimed that Justice John Tsoho, had withdrawn from handling the Kanu’s case.
Recall that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, was assigned Kanu’s case last week. However, the social media was buzzed on Tuesday that Justice Tsoho and had withdrawn, citing the illegality of his arrest.
Dismissing the false news report, the Chief Registrar said the claim was “entirely unfounded, fictitious, grossly mischievous, and damaging in intent. He, therefore, urged the public to disregarded it in its entirety.
He said “The attention of Management of the Federal High Court has been drawn, with great concern, to an online reportage as above captioned.
“The Court unequivocally refutes the false and misleading report, alleging that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, has stepped down from Nnamdi Kanu’s case. And made statements regarding the legality of his arrest,” the statement read.
According to Hassan, the true position is that Justice Tsoho, in his capacity as Chief Judge, has reassigned Nnamdi Kanu’s case. From Justice Binta Nyako to another (‘new’) Judge.
Hassan stated that “The report referred to, is, therefore, totally spurious.
“The defence team should hence prepare to receive instructions regarding the case, as may be issued by the new judge.
“The Federal High Court strongly cautions against deliberate misinformation to mislead the public and erode confidence in the judicial system.
“We urge the general public to be wary and rely only on verified information from official Court sources.
“The Court remains steadfast in upholding justice through due process of the law,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria, NAN had reliably gathered the reassignment of the case to and judge.
The agency reported that the Kanu’s case had been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho. This followed Justice Nyako’s recusal (withdrawal).