The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has struck out an ex-parte motion filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto correctional facility.
Justice James Omotosho took the action after Kanu’s counsel, Bemdoo Asan, a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council, informed the court that he wished to withdraw from the matter, citing some irreconcilable issues.
Asan stated that since the last adjourned date, he had been on constant phone communication with the relatives of the applicant, who refused to show up at his office to depose to the application, despite phone calls and promises to show up.
The lawyer added that Kanu wanted to dictate the tune of the matter and control what counsel would say.
“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.
Bemdoo added that he consulted with his superiors and they share 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 find legal help somewhere else
On that note, he invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, seeking to withdraw from the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court.
Justice Omotosho held that having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, he would grant leave for the counsel, and the agency generally, to withdraw from representing the defendant convict.
He added that the motion was incompetent.
“In the interest of justice and fairness, this court directed that other parties involved in the matter be served on notice.
“But since the last court sitting, December 8, 2025, until today, January 27, 2026, there is no prove of service before this court,” the judge said.
He thereafter, ordered that the motion ex-parte be struck out for lacking competence.
