The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an ex-parte motion filed by the detained 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, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer with the Legal Aid Council, applied to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
Addressing the court, Asan disclosed that since the last adjourned date, he had been in frequent telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives, who were expected to depose to the application. However, despite repeated calls and assurances, the relatives failed to appear at the Legal Aid Council office to complete the necessary documentation.
The counsel further revealed that Kanu sought to dictate the conduct of the proceedings, including attempting to determine what counsel would say in court.
“He wants to write down what I would say in court. As an officer of the court, I cannot, in good conscience, accept that,” Asan stated.
He added that after consulting with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council, they unanimously agreed that such conduct was unacceptable.
“As officers of the court, when a matter comes before us, we must handle it as we deem professionally appropriate. Otherwise, the applicant is free to seek legal representation elsewhere,” he said.
Asan consequently invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, formally applying to withdraw from the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the integrity and dignity of the court and granted leave for Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Kanu.
The judge further held that the ex-parte motion was incompetent. Nevertheless, in the interest of fairness and justice, he directed that all relevant parties be properly served, noting that there was no proof of service before the court since the last sitting on December 8, 2025.
Justice Omotosho subsequently struck out the motion for lack of competence.
