Court Strikes Out Kanu’s Bid for Transfer from Sokoto Prison
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an ex parte motion filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
At proceedings on Tuesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, told the court he wished to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant and his relatives. Asan said he had maintained contact with Kanu’s family since the last adjournment but they failed to visit his office to depose to the application, despite repeated assurances.
He further told the court that Kanu insisted on directing how the case should be handled and attempted to dictate what counsel would say in court. Asan said this was unacceptable, adding that as an officer of the court he could not continue under such conditions. He noted that his superiors at the Legal Aid Council shared the same view and agreed he should withdraw from the matter.
Relying on Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, Asan formally applied to discontinue his representation.
In his ruling, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho praised the counsel for upholding the integrity of the legal profession and granted leave for both Asan and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Kanu.
The judge also held that the ex parte motion seeking Kanu’s transfer was incompetent. He explained that the court had earlier directed that all relevant parties be put on notice in the interest of justice and fairness. However, from December 8, 2025, when the matter was last heard, to January 27, 2026, there was no proof that the required parties had been served.
Justice Omotosho subsequently struck out the motion for lack of competence.