A Federal High Court judge in Abuja has withdrawn from the case filed by the federal government against the leader of IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Tsoho said that he would return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta for reassignment.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra had earlier petitioned Justice Tsoho before the National Judicial Council over alleged judicial rascality.

At the resumed trial, Mr Kanu’s lead counsel Chuks Muoma brought an application claiming that the court was biased in the manner it has so far handled the matter.

They alleged that the court had, in the course of its ruling on April 26 2016, openly expressed serious prejudice against a member of the defence team, adding that it will be in the interest of justice for the application to be granted, to preserve the sanctity of the judicial office.

In his ruling, Justice Tsoho said that he had no personal interest in Kanu’s trial and would be returning the case file for reassignment.

Kanu alongside his co-accused, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony, brought against them by the federal government.

•Text courtesy of Channels TV. Photo shows Nnamdi Kanu.