The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday 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 to a custodial facility closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice James Omotosho struck out the application after counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, which was handling the matter, applied to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
Kanu, who was convicted on 20 November 2025 for terrorism-related offences, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court. His family has since rejected the verdict and vowed to appeal the conviction. Following his sentencing, the court ordered that Kanu be transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, ruling that the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja was not suitable for his incarceration.
Subsequently, on 8 December 2025, the IPOB leader filed an ex parte motion before the court seeking to be transferred to a custodial facility closer to Abuja. In the application, he suggested either the Suleja Custodial Centre in Niger State or a correctional facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
However, addressing the court on Tuesday, counsel from the Legal Aid Council, Demdoo Asan, informed Justice Omotosho that the council could no longer continue representing the applicant. He explained that despite repeated attempts to engage Kanu’s relatives, none had appeared to depose to the application in support of the motion.
Asan told the court that he had been in constant communication with the applicant’s relatives since the last adjourned date, but that they failed to honour several promises to visit the council’s office to complete the necessary documentation.
He further complained that Kanu had attempted to dictate how the case should be handled, including instructing counsel on what to say in court. Asan said such conduct was unacceptable and incompatible with his duties as an officer of the court.
According to him, after consulting with his superiors at the Legal Aid Council, a unanimous decision was taken to withdraw from the matter, stressing that a client could not control legal proceedings from detention.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for maintaining the dignity of the court and granted the Legal Aid Council leave to withdraw from representing Kanu. The judge subsequently struck out the ex parte motion, describing it as incompetent.
Justice Omotosho noted that although the court had previously directed that relevant parties be served in the interest of justice and fairness, there was no proof of service before the court since the last adjournment on 8 December 2025.
“Having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, I will grant leave for the counsel and the Legal Aid generally to withdraw from representing the defendant convict,” the judge ruled, adding that the absence of proof of service rendered the application untenable.
