Court Denies Kanu’s Request to Transfer from Sokoto Prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed an ex-parte application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

Kanu, who is serving a sentence for terrorism-related offences, had requested that the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) move him to a facility closer to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi, to facilitate the prosecution of his appeal.

Justice James Omotosho, however, ruled that Kanu’s application could not be granted without serving the respondents, stressing that the Federal Government and the NCoS must be put on notice to respond.

Addressing Kanu’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Demdoo Asan, the judge said: “Do you think it is proper to seek this transfer ex-parte when judgment was delivered with all parties present? The respondents have a right to be heard.”

Consequently, Relief One of Kanu’s motion, which sought a “compelling” order for his transfer, was struck out. Justice Omotosho ordered that the prosecution and NCoS be served so they could respond in the interest of justice.

The court also questioned the timing of Kanu’s notice of appeal. Asan admitted that the notice, filed on November 10, 2025, preceded the judgment delivered on November 20, making it invalid for the current application. The judge directed the court registrar to make the notice available to the new lawyer.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to January 27, 2026, to allow Kanu to serve the necessary parties and for the application to be properly taken up.

Earlier, the court had refused to recognise Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who appeared on his behalf despite not being a lawyer.