Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed an application by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu seeking to be moved from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility within the Federal Capital Territory or nearby Nasarawa State.
Kanu, acting through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex-parte motion asking the court to order the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately relocate him to Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
Alternatively, he requested a transfer to any custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction, such as Suleja or Keffi, to allow him properly pursue his appeal.
Justice Omotosho on Monday refused the application, ruling that such an order could not be granted without first hearing from the Federal Government.
He held that both the Federal Government and the NCoS must be put on notice to respond in the interest of justice before any decision on the transfer request can be made.
The judge subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
On November 20, the court found Kanu guilty on all seven t+rrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
He was later moved to the Sokoto facility due to security concerns at Kuje, which has experienced previous prison breaks.
Kanu’s legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, later filed a motion personally signed by Kanu, asking that it be deemed moved in absentia and seeking an order compelling authorities to transfer him to a facility closer to Abuja.
He argued that his detention in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres away—has made it extremely difficult to prepare his notice and record of appeal.
He added that all individuals essential to assisting him, including relatives, associates and legal consultants, are based in Abuja.
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