Justice John Tsoho, the newly assigned judge in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, has officially stepped down from the case. He cited Kanu’s illegal extradition from Kenya as the main reason, stating that proceeding with the case would violate his principles and judicial ethics.
Key Reasons for His Decision:
- Justice Tsoho acknowledged that previous judges had ordered Kanu’s release, but the government ignored their rulings.
- He questioned the government’s willingness to obey the law, saying: “If they didn’t listen to those orders, why would they listen to mine?
- He emphasized that Nigeria must uphold its legal system and that detaining Kanu under these circumstances is a violation of justice, both locally and internationally.
Final Statement:
Refusing to compromise his integrity, Justice Tsoho stated:
“I won’t ruin my name by touching this case. It’s clear what’s right, and I won’t let this mess up my reputation. People always remember justice.”
His withdrawal further raises questions about judicial independence and the Nigerian government’s handling of Kanu’s detention and trial.
