A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned indefinitely further proceedings in the treason trial of self acclaimed leader of the proscrubed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Binta Nyako took the decision in a ruling on Monday after Kanu disrupted proceedings and questioned the judge’s jurisdiction to further preside over his trial.

At the commencement of proceedings, prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) said the prosecution filed and served all necessary documents and was ready to proceed with the trial.

Responding, defence lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor said the issue before the court was not about proceeding with the trial.

At that point, Justice Nyako intervened and said although she had earlier recused herself from the case, the court’s Chief Judge turned down her decision to withdraw from the case, and directed that defendant file a formal motion asking for the reassignment of the case to another judge.

While Awomolo and Ejimakor were arguing on whether or not a formal motion was necessary, as directed by the Chief Judge, Kanu, who had sat quietly in the dock, suddenly interjected, and demanded to be allowed to speak.

When asked by Justice Nyako whether it was his intention to take over the conduct of his case from his lawyer, Kanu said: “Yes, I want to take over.”

The defendant proceeded to say that he only agreed to attend court because of the respect he has for the court.

He argued that Justice Nyako no longer has the jurisdiction to preside over his trial since she earlier refused herself from the case in September last year.

Kanu then, turned to the prosecuting lawyer and insulted him, saying: “A grown-up man like you, who should be in the village and, who should be making sure that things are done properly is here subverting the law.”

He then returned his attention to to the judge and said: “I don’t recognise the authority of this court to preside over my case.

“Everything you (the judge) said here is meaningless to me. Why is it that when it comes to my case, everything is turned upside-down?”