Court strikes out Kanu’s motion seeking transfer from Sokoto Prison, as Kanu’s lawyer withdraws from case
The Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday struck out an ex-parte motion filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction or its immediate environs.
Kanu’s legal representative, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council, during proceedings, told the court of his intention to withdraw from the matter due to irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
His reason for seeking withdrawal bordered on communication issues with relatives of the applicant, alongside the fact that the applicant Nnamdi Kanu wants to dictate the proceedings, as well as control what should be said in court by the counsel.
“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.
“As officers of the court, when a matter comes to us, we handle it as we see fit; otherwise, the applicant can find legal help elsewhere,” he added.
Invoking Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, he formally withdrew from the matter.
Justice Omotosho in his ruling commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court, while granting leave for the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing Nnamdi Kanu.
The judge held that he had earlier directed other parties involved to be served with notice in the interest of justice and peace. However, there was no proof of service before the court, since the last court sitting on December 8, 2025. He therefore struck out the ex-parte motion for lack of competence.
Recall that the court had on Monday December 8, 2025, refused to grant the motion ex parte filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, who was seeking a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction or its immediate environs.
Justice James Omotosho refused the request, stating that Kanu’s application which was moved by Demdoo Asan, could not be granted, as the respondents, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) ought to have been put on notice to enable their response.
The court had also queried whether an ex parte motion was the appropriate means by which the transfer should be granted or through a motion on notice which would allow the respondents or other parties to respond.
The case was then adjourned to January 27, 2026, to enable the applicant serve the relevant parties in the appeal.
Kanu had in his motion ex parte, sought an order compelling the Federal Government and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court” or a transfer to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”
The IPOB leader stated that he was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, with the judge ordering his detention in any correctional centre in Nigeria except Kuje, adding that in the interest of justice, he should be transferred to a facility near Abuja to enable him prosecute his appeal effectively.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, after being convicted of all seven counts of terrorism charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The court had expressed concern for Kanu’s safety, noting that the Kuje Correctional Facility might not be suitable for him due to previous prison breaks in the facility, thereby moving the IPOB leader to the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
