Court Strikes Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Motion Seeking Transfer From Sokoto Correctional Facility

Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out an ex-parte application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking an order for his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility, PulseNets learnt.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, 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 and his family, PulseNets reported.

Addressing the court, Asan disclosed that since the last adjourned date, he had been in constant telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives concerning the application.

According to him, despite repeated phone calls and assurances, none of Kanu’s relatives appeared at his office to depose to the necessary affidavit in support of the motion.

He further told the court that the IPOB leader insisted on dictating how the case should be handled and what submissions counsel should make before the 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.

The Legal Aid Council lawyer added that he consulted with his superiors, who shared the same position, stressing that legal officers must be allowed to exercise their professional judgment when handling cases.

“When a matter comes to us, we handle it the way we deem fit. If that is not acceptable, the applicant is free to seek legal representation elsewhere,” he added.

Consequently, Asan invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules and formally applied to withdraw from representing Kanu in the matter.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for standing by the dignity and integrity of the court.

The judge held that having carefully listened to submissions from the Legal Aid Council, the court would grant leave for Asan, and the agency as a whole, to withdraw from further representation of the defendant-convict.

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Justice Omotosho further ruled that the ex-parte motion seeking Kanu’s transfer was incompetent.

“In the interest of justice and fairness, this court directed that other parties involved in the matter be put on notice,” the judge stated.

“However, from the last sitting of this court on 8 December 2025 till today, 27 January 2026, there is no proof of service before this court,” he added.

On that basis, the court ordered that the ex-parte application be struck out for lack of competence, PulseNets obtained.