Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has declined an application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be moved from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility in the Federal Capital Territory or neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex-parte application urging the court to order the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately transfer him from Sokoto to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
In the alternative, he requested relocation to any correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi, to enable him effectively pursue his appeal.
However, Justice Omotosho on Monday refused the request, ruling that such an order cannot be granted without first hearing from the Federal Government.
The judge held that the respondents—the Federal Government and the NCoS—must be put on notice to respond in the interest of justice before the court can consider the application.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for hearing of the substantive motion.
Kanu was convicted on November 20 on all seven terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Following the judgement, he was transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Centre due to security concerns at the Kuje facility, which has experienced multiple prison breaks.
His legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, later submitted a formal motion before Justice Omotosho seeking Kanu’s relocation from Sokoto to a facility closer to Abuja—such as Suleja or Keffi—citing logistical and safety concerns.
In the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and personally signed by Kanu, he argued that his detention in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres from Abuja—makes it extremely difficult to prepare his notice and record of appeal.
He further noted that all individuals essential to assisting him, including family members, associates, and legal advisers, are based in Abuja.
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