Just In: Court strikes out Nnamdi Kanu’s motion for transfer out of Sokoto correctional facility

Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal high court Abuja, on Tuesday struck out an ex-parte motion filed by the convicted leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto correctional facility.

The legal representative of Kanu, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer at the Legal Aid Council, informed the court of his intention to withdraw from the matter, citing irreconcilable differences.

According to the counsel, since the last adjourned date, he had been on constant telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives.

He, however, told the court that, despite several phone calls and promises, Kanu’s relatives failed to show up at his office to depose to the application.

He added that Kanu wanted to dictate the tune of the matter and control what he, as counsel, would 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”. Demdoo said.

He further declared that he consulted with his superiors and that they shared the same sentiment, stating that, as officers of the court, when a matter comes to them, they will handle the matter as the they see fit, else the applicant can seek legal assistance elsewhere.

Consequently, the counsel invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court, seeking to withdraw from the matter.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court.

The judge held that having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, he will grant leave for the counsel and the Legal Aid Council generally, to withdraw from representing the defendant convict.

He added that the motion was incompetent.

In the interest of justice and fairness, however, the court had directed that other parties involved in the matter be served on notice.

“Since the last court sitting of December 8, 2025, until today 27 January, there is no proof of service before this court” noted the court.

Justice Omotosho thereafter ordered that the motion ex-parte be struck out for lacking competence.