In a recent ruling, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, struck out an ex-parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu’s legal representative, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer from the Legal Aid Council, informed the court that he wished to withdraw from the case due to irreconcilable differences with Kanu. According to Asan, despite numerous attempts to engage with Kanu’s family members, they failed to appear at the Legal Aid office to depose to the application, despite previous promises to do so.
Asan further claimed that Kanu attempted to control the legal proceedings, even dictating what the counsel should say in court. He emphasized that, as an officer of the court, he could not accept such interference. After consulting with his superiors, Asan and his team decided it was best to withdraw from representing Kanu.
Justice Omotosho, acknowledging the counsel’s professionalism, granted the request to withdraw, commending Asan for upholding the dignity of the court. The judge also ruled that the motion was incompetent, but in the interest of justice, he directed that the relevant parties be served with notice.
Since there was no proof of service before the court from the previous hearing on December 8, 2025, the motion was ultimately struck out. The court’s decision to dismiss the motion was based on its lack of competence, and no further action on the transfer request will proceed at this time.
