By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja 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 proceedings on Tuesday, Kanu’s counsel, Mr. 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. However, he said they failed to appear at the Legal Aid office despite repeated calls and assurances.
He further disclosed that Kanu attempted to dictate how the case should be conducted, including directing counsel on what to 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,” Asan said.
According to him, consultations with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council revealed a shared position on the matter. He stressed that legal practitioners must be allowed to exercise professional judgment in handling cases, adding that an applicant dissatisfied with such an approach was free to seek representation elsewhere.
Asan subsequently invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules to formally apply for withdrawal from the case.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity and integrity of the court and granted leave for Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Kanu.
The judge held that the ex-parte motion before the court was incompetent. He noted that, in the interest of justice and fairness, other parties ought to have been served with notice, adding that there was no proof of service before the court since the last sitting on December 8, 2025.
Justice Omotosho consequently ordered that the ex-parte motion be struck out for lack of competence.
