The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho, who held that the ex-parte motion brought before the court was procedurally defective and therefore incompetent.
During proceedings, Kanu’s counsel, Demdoo Asan—a senior legal officer with the Legal Aid Council—formally applied to withdraw from the case, citing unresolved disagreements with his client. Asan told the court that since the last adjournment, he had repeatedly communicated with Kanu’s family members, urging them to visit the Legal Aid office to depose to the required application. Despite several assurances, he said they failed to appear.
Asan further disclosed that Kanu insisted on dictating what counsel should say in open court, a demand he described as inconsistent with legal ethics and professional training. He explained that the attempt to control court submissions left him with no option but to step aside.
“I cannot, in good conscience as an officer of the court, accept instructions that undermine my professional judgment,” Asan told the judge, adding that his decision was made after consultations with his superiors, who supported his stance.
Invoking Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, Asan requested the court’s permission for both himself and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Kanu.
Justice Omotosho commended the lawyer for maintaining professional integrity and granted the request, effectively relieving the Legal Aid Council of further involvement in the matter.
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On the ex-parte motion seeking Kanu’s transfer, the judge ruled that it lacked competence. However, in the interest of fairness, he directed that all relevant parties be properly served with court processes, noting that no proof of service had been presented since the previous hearing on December 8, 2025.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho ordered that the application be struck out.
