Justice James Omotosho of a Federal high, Abuja, on Monday, 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 Center.
The judge struck out the suit shortly after it was withdrawn by a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), Demdoo Asan, who had represented Kanu currently serving life imprisonment in the Sokoto Correctional Center.
When the matter was called, Asan informed the court that he wished to withdraw from the matter, over what he described as some irreconcilable issues.
While claiming he has been on constant phone communication with the relatives of the applicant since the last adjourned date, the lawyer, disclosed that the relatives of the applicant didn’t show up at their office to depose to the application, despite phone calls and promises to show up.
“Also, the applicant wants to dictate the tune of the matter, he wants to 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.
The lawyer further informed the court that he consulted with his superiors, who shared the same sentiment as him, stating that, as officers of the court, when a matter comes to them, they will handle the matter as they see fit, else the applicant can find legal help somewhere else.
He subsequently referenced Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rule, praying the court to permit him to withdraw from the matter.
In a short ruling, Justice Omotosho, who commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court, granted the request of the lawyer to withdraw from the case.
“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.
“To the applicant himself, the motion was incompetent. However, 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, 8 December,2025, until today 27 January, there is no prove of service before this court. The motion ex-parte is struck out for lacking competence.”
Alex Enumah
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