The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has refused to issue an order on a motion ex parte filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, represented by the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex-parte application seeking a directive compelling the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately relocate him from Sokoto to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
Alternatively, he requested a transfer to any custodial facility within the court’s territorial jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi, to enable him pursue his appeal more effectively.
However, Justice James Omotosho on Monday turned down the request, stating that such an order could not be made without first hearing from the Federal Government.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the respondents—the Federal Government and the NCoS—must be duly notified to allow them respond in the interest of justice before the application could be considered.
He thereafter set January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
On November 20, the court convicted him on all seven terrorism-related charges levelled by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Kanu was subsequently transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility due to security concerns at Kuje, where previous jailbreaks had occurred.
His legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, later filed another motion before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court asking that Kanu be moved from Sokoto to a custodial centre closer to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi.
In the motion personally signed by him, Kanu requested that it be treated as moved in absentia and sought an order directing the Federal Government or Nigerian Correctional Service to carry out the transfer.
Relying on eight grounds in the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu argued that being held in Sokoto—more than 700 kilometres from Abuja—made it impossible for him to properly prepare his notice of appeal and record of appeal.
Why do you think Kanu is seeking a transfer from Sokoto prison, and do you think his sentence would be overturned on appeal? Share your views in the comment section.
