The Federal High Court Abuja, has rejected an application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, to a custodial facility within the Federal Capital Territory or neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex-parte application requesting an order directing the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately move him from Sokoto to either Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
In the alternative, he requested to be transferred to any custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction, such as Suleja or Keffi, to enable him to effectively pursue his appeal.
However, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho on Monday declined the request, ruling that such an order could not be granted without hearing from the Federal Government.
Justice Omotosho held that the respondents; the Federal Government and NCoS, ought to be put on notice for them to respond appropriately in the interest of justice, before the request could be granted.
The judge subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
On judgement day, November 20 2025,the court found Kanu guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Thereafter, the IPOB leader was moved to the Sokoto correctional Facility due to concerns for his safety at Kuje, where previous prison breaks had been recorded.
Kanu’s legal consultant ,Aloy Ejimakor, later filed a motion before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court seeking a transfer from Sokoto to a custodial facility closer to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi.
In the motion, personally signed by him, Kanu asked that he should be moved in absentia and sought an order compelling the Federal Government or Nigerian Correctional Service to effect the transfer.
Citing eight grounds in the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu explained that his detention in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres from Abuja made it impracticable to prepare his notice of appeal and record of appeal.
