Nnamdi Kanu’s trial has been one of the most complicated court cases in Nigeria’s recent history. From the day he was first brought before a Federal High Court judge in 2015, the case has moved from one courtroom to another because of objections, petitions, and repeated claims of bias. 

Over the years, at least four judges have handled different stages of the trial, and each one stepped aside for different reasons.

Here is a detailed look at the judges and how each became part of the long-running legal journey.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed – The First Judge

The first judge to hear Nnamdi Kanu’s case was Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who is now a Justice of the Court of Appeal. Kanu was brought before him on December 23, 2015, shortly after he was arrested.

However, the case did not move forward. Kanu told the court that he did not believe he would get justice from Justice Mohammed. Because of this claim, the judge decided to withdraw from the case to avoid any appearance of bias. 

His withdrawal led to the first major delay in the trial, and the matter had to be reassigned to a new judge.

Justice John Tsoho – Second Judge, Second Withdrawal

When the case resumed on September 26, 2016, it came before Justice John Tsoho, who was then the second most senior judge of the Federal High Court.

At first, it appeared the trial would finally continue, but things changed again. Kanu’s legal team filed a petition against Justice Tsoho at the National Judicial Council (NJC). They accused him of giving conflicting rulings on whether prosecution witnesses could be shielded from public view during testimony.

The defence argued that such decisions could affect fairness in the trial. Because of this petition, Justice Tsoho stepped aside and returned the case file to the then Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta. Kanu’s trial had now lost its second judge.

Interestingly, Justice Tsoho is now the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Justice Binta Nyako – The Longest-Serving Judge on the Case

After Justice Tsoho withdrew, the matter was reassigned in 2016 to Justice Binta Nyako. She handled the case for several years, becoming the judge most associated with the long and controversial trial.

But in September 2024, the battle took another turn. Kanu accused Justice Nyako of not obeying a Supreme Court ruling that granted him “unfettered access” to his lawyers. Because of this allegation, she recused herself from the case.

Justice Nyako’s withdrawal marked the third time the trial was starting over before a new judge.

Justice James Omotosho – The Judge Who Delivered the Final Verdict

After Justice Nyako stepped aside, the case was reassigned to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.

Despite several attempts by Kanu’s legal team to halt the proceedings, Justice Omotosho continued with the trial. He eventually delivered his judgment in 2025, bringing an end at least at the trial court stage to a case that had moved across four different judges over nearly a decade.