Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has struck out an ex-parte motion filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu’s counsel, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer with the Legal Aid Council, informed the court of his intention to withdraw from the matter, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
Asan told the court that since the last adjourned date, he had maintained regular telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives, who were expected to depose to the application. However, despite repeated assurances, they failed to appear at the Legal Aid Council office to do so.
He further stated that Kanu had attempted to dictate the conduct of the case and control what counsel would say in court.
“He wants to write down what I would say in court, but as an officer of the court, I cannot in good faith accept that,” Asan said.
According to him, consultations with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council produced a similar view.
“When a matter comes to us, we handle it as officers of the court and in accordance with the law. Otherwise, the applicant is free to seek legal representation elsewhere,” he added.
Asan subsequently invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, seeking leave to formally withdraw from the case.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended counsel for upholding the dignity and integrity of the court and granted leave for Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Kanu.
The judge described the ex-parte motion as incompetent and noted that, in the interest of justice, other parties ought to have been served with notice. He observed that there was no proof of service before the court since the last sitting on December 8, 2025.
Justice Omotosho consequently ordered that the ex-parte motion be struck out for lack of competence.
