A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out an ex-parte application by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu seeking transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility nearer Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho dismissed the motion after the Legal Aid Council lawyer on the case withdrew, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the applicant.
Kanu had asked to be moved to Suleja or Keffi to better prepare his appeal against a life sentence handed down on 20 November 2025.
The court found the motion incompetent and noted there was no proof that other parties had been served since the matter was last before it.
“To the application itself, the motion was incompetent,” Justice Omotosho said as he granted leave for the Legal Aid Council to withdraw.
Demdoo Asan, the Legal Aid counsel, told the judge he had repeatedly contacted Kanu’s relatives but none had come forward to depose to the application.
He also said the applicant had attempted to dictate the content of court submissions, a claim that prompted the lawyer’s withdrawal.
Kanu’s defence team condemned the ruling and vowed to appeal, calling the court hearing “procedural theatre” and arguing the decision did not address alleged defects in the conviction now before the Court of Appeal.
They said striking out the motion would not stop their push for justice on appeal.
The matter leaves Kanu in Sokoto while his lawyers pursue appellate remedies, and authorities have said the transfer request could not be granted without formal notice to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
