The Federal High Court has dismissed an ex-parte application filed by the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, after his court-appointed counsel formally withdrew from the matter over unresolved professional differences.
The withdrawal followed complaints by the lawyer that the applicant attempted to control courtroom conduct and the substance of submissions, creating conditions he said made continued representation untenable under established legal ethics.
According to the counsel, repeated efforts to regularise the application failed after individuals expected to depose to supporting affidavits did not appear, despite sustained communication and assurances given over several days.
During proceedings on Tuesday, the legal representative, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, explained that “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.”
Asan added that senior officials within the Legal Aid Council supported his position, stating, “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.”
Ruling on the application in Abuja, Justice James Omotosho commended the counsel’s stance and granted permission for both Asan and the Legal Aid Council to disengage from representing Kanu in the suit.
The judge further held that the request seeking Kanu’s transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility lacked competence, noting the absence of proof of service since the court’s last sitting on December 8, 2025, and ordered the motion struck out.
