Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the ex-parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), requesting his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Demdoo Asan, a senior officer from the Legal Aid Council, informed the court of his intention to withdraw from the case due to insurmountable issues. Asan explained that despite repeated phone communications with Kanu’s relatives since the previous court hearing, they failed to appear at the Legal Aid office to endorse the application, even after promising to do so.
He further revealed that Kanu attempted to control the direction of the court proceedings by dictating what he should say in court, a request Asan found unacceptable as an officer of the court.
“I cannot, in good faith, accept that,” Asan remarked, adding that after consulting with his superiors, they shared the same concern. Asan invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, formally seeking to withdraw from representing Kanu.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for maintaining the integrity of the court and granted permission for Demdoo and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from the case. The judge deemed the motion incompetent but, in the interest of justice, directed that other parties be notified. He also noted that there was no proof of service since the last court sitting on December 8, 2025, leading to the dismissal of the motion for lack of competence.