Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Abuja Federal high Court has struck out an ex-parte motion filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto correctional facility.
The court’s decision was influenced by several factors, including the withdrawal of Kanu’s Legal Aid Council lawyer, Demdoo Asan, who cited irreconcilable differences and claimed Kanu tried to control the handling of the case.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu’s counsel, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council, informed the court that he wishes to withdraw from the matter, citing some irreconcilable issues.
He said since the last adjourned date, he had been on constant phone communication with the relatives of the applicant.
Asan also noted a lack of family support in providing necessary documentation.
According to him, Kanu’s relatives did not show up at his office to depose to the application, despite phone calls and promises to show up.
He added that Kanu wanted to dictate the tune of the matter and control what counsel would say.
“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,” Demdoo said.
Demdoo added that he consulted with his superiors and they share the same sentiment, stating that as officers of the court, when a matter comes to them, they will handle the matter as they see fit, else the applicant can find legal help somewhere else.
On that note, he invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, seeking to withdraw from the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court.
Justice Omotosho held that having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, he will grant leave for the counsel, and the agency generally, to withdraw from representing the defendant convict.
He added that the motion was incompetent.
“In the interest of justice and fairness, this court directed that other parties involved in the matter be served on notice.
“But since the last court sitting, 8th December, 2025, until today, 27th January, 2026, there is no prove of service before this court,” the judge said.
He thereafter ordered that the motion ex-parte be struck out for lacking competence
