Court Strikes Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Bid for Transfer From Sokoto Prison
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an ex parte motion filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Mr. Kanu’s legal representative, Mr. 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.
Mr. Asan explained that since the last adjourned date, he had maintained constant telephone communication with the applicant’s relatives. However, he said they failed to present themselves at the Legal Aid Council office to depose to the application, despite repeated phone calls and assurances that they would do so.
He further told the court that Mr. Kanu had sought to dictate the conduct of the proceedings and control what counsel would say in 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,” Mr. Asan said.
He added that, after consulting with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council, they shared the same view.
“As officers of the court, when a matter comes to us, we handle it as we see fit; otherwise, the applicant can seek legal assistance elsewhere,” he stated.
Mr. Asan subsequently invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, formally applying to withdraw from the case.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court and granted leave for Mr. Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing the defendant.
The judge observed that the ex parte motion before the court was incompetent. Nevertheless, in the interest of justice and fairness, he directed that all other parties involved be served with the necessary notices.
Justice Omotosho noted that since the last sitting of the court on December 8, 2025, there was no proof of service before the court. He consequently ordered that the motion be struck out for lack of competence.
