Court Takes Decision On Nnamdi Kanu’s Request To Be Transferred From Sokoto Prison

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has denied a request by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

The decision was taken on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho, who gave a ruling on an ex parte motion filed in that regard.

According to him, the motion lacks competence.

Naijaonpoint reports that at Tuesday’s sitting, Kanu’s legal representative, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council, informed the court that he wished to withdraw from the matter, citing irreconcilable issues.

According to him, he had been in constant phone contact with Kanu’s relatives since the last adjourned date, but they have failed to show up at the Legal Aid office to depose to the application, despite phone calls and promises to appear.

Demdoo added that Kanu wanted to dictate and control what the counsel would say in court, which contradicts his legal training, thus prompting the decision to withdraw from the case.

“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,” he said.

He further stated that after consulting with his superiors, they agreed with his stand on the matter.

“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,” Demdoo said.

He then invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, seeking to formally withdraw from the matter.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court.

He granted leave for Demdoo and the Legal Aid Council to withdraw from representing the defendant.

The judge added that the motion was incompetent. However, in the interest of justice and fairness, he directed that other parties involved be served with notice.

He noted that, since the last court sitting on December 8, 2025, there was no proof of service before the court.

Justice Omotosho thereafter ordered that the ex-parte motion be struck out for lacking competence.