The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, 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 decision to withdraw from the matter, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
Asan told the court that since the last adjourned date, he had maintained constant telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives, who were expected to depose to the application. He said, however, that the relatives failed to appear at the Legal Aid Council office despite repeated assurances.
The counsel further disclosed that Kanu had attempted to dictate the conduct of the case and determine what counsel should say in court.
“He wants to write down what I would say while in court. But, as an officer of the court, I can’t in good faith accept that,” Asan said.
He added that after consulting with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council, they shared the same view, stressing that legal practitioners must be allowed to handle cases independently in line with professional ethics.
Invoking Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, Asan formally applied to withdraw from representing Kanu.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court and granted leave for Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from the case.
The judge described the ex parte motion as incompetent and noted that, in the interest of justice and fairness, all relevant parties ought to have been served with notice.
He observed that since the last sitting of the court on December 8, 2025, there was no proof of service before the court. Consequently, Justice Omotosho ordered that the ex parte motion be struck out for lack of competence.
