ABUJA – 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.
The ruling on Tuesday came after Kanu’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Council, Demdoo Asan, applied to withdraw from the case. Asan informed Justice James Omotosho that he had encountered “irreconcilable issues” with his client, stating that Kanu sought to dictate and write down exactly what the lawyer should 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,” Asan told the court. He added that consultations with his superiors confirmed they shared the same sentiment, leading to the decision to withdraw.
Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court and granted the application for withdrawal. The judge subsequently struck out the motion for lacking competence, noting there was no proof that other parties in the suit had been served since the last hearing in December 2025.
The court, however, directed that fresh notices be served on all parties in the interest of justice. This development marks another legal setback for Kanu, who continues to serve his sentence following his conviction.
—
Disclaimer: This report is based on proceedings in an open court. The statements made by the legal counsel are part of the official court record. This publication reports on judicial processes without taking a position on the merits of the case.
© 2026 CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved
