Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has referred a motion filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to the Chief Judge of the court for reassignment.
Kanu, through an ex parte application, is seeking an order directing his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical care. At Monday’s proceedings, his counsel, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), urged the court to return the case file for reassignment, as the annual vacation of the court was ending the same day. Counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not oppose the request.
In his ruling, Justice Liman explained that the vacation court had been overwhelmed with cases, with over 30 matters listed for the day but only six taken. He noted that under Section 46(8) of the Federal High Court Rules, any case not concluded during the vacation period must be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The judge observed that although Kanu’s application was urgent given its health grounds, it was filed too late to be heard within the vacation period. Awomolo also remarked that had the motion been filed earlier, it could have been considered, adding that the DSS was ready to respond to the motion whenever it is listed.
Justice Liman therefore ordered that the case file be sent back to the registry for reassignment.
