Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, has recused herself from presiding over the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

A recuse means a judge excusing himself or herself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or a perception of bias.

At the resumed court session on Tuesday, Kanu directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, had told the court that he had a witness in court and was ready to proceed with trial.

Awomolo had also sought the protection of the witness.

While the court was setting up a protection screen to shield the witness, Alloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu, told the court that his team was not ready to proceed with the trial.

Ejimakor said his client has consistently been denied the opportunity to adequately prepare for his defence.

While the lawyer was still addressing the court, Kanu yelled from the dock, asking Ejimakor to sit down.

“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” the defendant bellowed from the dock.

Facing the judge, Kanu said: “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the supreme court”.

“I can understand it if the Department of State Services (DSS) refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the supreme court is regrettable.

“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

Although the prosecution urged the court to proceed with the trial, Nyako said she would go with extricating herself from the case.

She said she would be sending the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment and further necessary actions.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” she held.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to confirm Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The president’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

Kekere-Ekun has been in the office in acting capacity since August following the retirement of Olukayode Ariwoola as CJN. The president had sworn her into the office in acting capacity.

Tinubu premised his request on 231(1) of the constitution.

“Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate,” the number one citizen said.

“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.

“While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”

Akpabio referred the request to the committee of the whole to consider on Wednesday.

The Kogi house of assembly has called for the removal of Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for “persecuting” Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state.

Yahaya Umar, a lawmaker representing Omala state constituency in the Kogi house of assembly, alleged that the EFCC chairman is trying to “ridicule” Bello, who is accused of mismanaging N80.2 billion during his tenure.

Last Wednesday, the media office of the former governor alleged that operatives of the EFCC laid siege to the Kogi government lodge in Abuja in a bid to forcefully arrest Bello.

Ohiare Michael, director of the Yahaya Bello media office, said the operatives shot sporadically during the siege.

His claim came hours after the media office said Bello honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation but was turned back by the EFCC operatives.

On April 18, the commission declared Bello wanted after several attempts to arrest him proved unsuccessful.

At the plenary on Monday, the Kogi legislators criticised the action of the EFCC operatives and described it as an “unprovoked attack” on Usman Ododo, governor of the state.

The lawmakers accused the EFCC of attempting to assassinate Ododo and the former governor, adding that the persecution of Bello had gone on for too long.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Akus Lawal, a lawmaker representing Ankpa 1 state constituency.

Akus alleged that the EFCC was out to humiliate and possibly kill Ododo and Bello.

Seconding the motion, Jacob Olawunmi, representing the Mopamuro state constituency, said the state assembly can “categorically say that no money is missing to warrant the EFCC’s unwarranted witch-hunting of the former governor”.

Abu Jibril, the lawmaker representing the Ajaokuta constituency, said President Bola Tinubu should immediately remove and prosecute Olukoyede.

“The chairman has shown incompetence that warrants his removal,” Jibril said.