By Obinna Uballa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an application filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling on Tuesday after Kanu’s counsel, Mr Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, applied to withdraw from the matter, citing irreconcilable differences with his client.
At the proceedings, Asan told the court that efforts to prosecute the ex-parte motion had been frustrated by the conduct of Kanu and his relatives. He said that although he had maintained constant communication with the applicant’s family since the last adjourned date, they failed to appear at the Legal Aid office to depose to the application, despite repeated assurances.
The lawyer further disclosed that Kanu insisted on dictating how the case should be handled and what counsel should say in open court, a demand he said was incompatible with his duties as an officer of the court.
“He wants to write down what I would say while in court. But, as an officer of the court, I cannot in good faith accept that,” Asan told the judge.
He added that after consulting with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council, they shared his position.
“As officers of the court, when a matter comes to us, we handle it as we see fit. Otherwise, the applicant can seek legal help elsewhere,” he said.
Relying on Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, Asan formally applied to withdraw from representing Kanu in the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the lawyer for what he described as his commitment to the dignity and integrity of the court. He granted leave to Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from the case.
The judge noted, however, that the ex-parte motion itself was fundamentally flawed. He observed that there was no proof of service on other parties, despite the fact that the matter had last come before the court on December 8, 2025.
While directing that other parties be served in the interest of fairness and justice, Justice Omotosho held that the application was incompetent and could not be entertained.
He consequently ordered that the motion seeking Kanu’s transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility be struck out.
