Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down an application filed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be relocated from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a detention facility within the Federal Capital Territory or nearby Nasarawa State.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex-parte motion urging the judge to issue an order compelling the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately move him from Sokoto to the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
In the alternative, he requested a transfer to any prison located within the jurisdiction of the court—such as Suleja or Keffi—to allow him properly pursue his appeal.
However, on Monday, Justice Omotosho refused to grant the application, stating that such a directive could not be issued without hearing from the Federal Government.
The judge explained that the respondents—the Federal Government and the NCoS—must be notified and given the opportunity to present their positions before any order can be issued in the matter.
He thereafter fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
On November 20, the court convicted Kanu on all seven terrorism-related allegations levelled against him by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Following the judgment, he was transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility due to security worries surrounding his safety at the Kuje facility, which had previously experienced jailbreaks.
His legal adviser, Aloy Ejimakor, later approached the same Federal High Court seeking approval for Kanu to be moved from Sokoto to a custodial centre closer to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi.
In the application personally endorsed by Kanu, he urged the court to consider the motion as moved in his absence and requested an order compelling the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to carry out the transfer.
He listed eight reasons in the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, explaining that his confinement in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres from Abuja—makes it nearly impossible for him to prepare his notice of appeal and compile the record of appeal.
Kanu further argued that all the individuals essential to aiding his legal challenge, including family members, close associates, and legal consultants, are based in Abuja.
What You Should Know
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is challenging his detention conditions following his conviction on terrorism-related charges and subsequent sentencing to life imprisonment.
After being moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre due to security concerns at Kuje, he requested a transfer back to a facility closer to Abuja to properly prepare his appeal.
Justice James Omotosho declined the request, insisting the Federal Government must be heard before any ruling can be made. Kanu argues that the distance from Abuja hinders consultations with his legal team, who are all based in the capital.
