IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined an ex-parte application filed by the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility within the court’s jurisdiction in Abuja.
NPO Reported that Kanu was last month transferred to the Sokoto correctional facility following his conviction and life imprisonment over terrorism charge.
The convict, who sacked his team of lawyers prior to the judgment, had opted to defend himself.
However, the IPOB leader had, in the motion ex-parte personally signed by him, sought an order compelling the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
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Alternately, Kanu sought an order transferring him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”
In the alternative, he prayed for a transfer to any custodial facility close to the court, such as Suleja or Keffi, to enable him effectively pursue his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.
However, Justice James Omotosho reportedly declined the request on Monday, ruling that granting such an order without hearing from the respondents would not serve the interest of justice.
The presiding judge directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte motion to a motion on notice and serve all relevant parties to allow them respond.
He then fixed January 27, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
