By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The new judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja to whom the treason trial of self-acclaimed leader of proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was assigned has fixed March 21 for the commencement of hearing in the case.
Our correspondent learnt yesterday that hearing notices have been issued and dispatched to parties in the case.
Newsmen has reported on Tuesday that the new judge, Justice James Omotosho, may direct the issuance of hearing notices in the case before the end of the week.
It was also gathered that the case file and other necessary documents have since been transferred to Justice Omotosho’s court, paving the way for the issuance of the hearing notices.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kanu is expected to be re-arraigned for the remaining seven counts in the treason charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment on December 15, 2023, ordered Kanu to submit himself for trial before the Federal High Court for the remaining seven counts.
In the judgment, the apex court reversed the decision of the Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting Kanu over the case.
The apex court held that although he was illegally brought back to Nigeria from Kenya when he jumped bail, the development could not have divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to continue his trial.
On September 24, last year, Justice Nyako withdrew from the case after Kanu stood up in court and demanded that she rescue herself from further handling his trial.
Although the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, rejected Justice Nyako’s withdrawal and ordered her to proceed with the case, he later re-assigned the matter to Justice Omotosho.