JUST IN: Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer from Sokoto Prison

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a fresh bid by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to be moved out of the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The court reached the decision on Monday after reviewing an ex-parte motion brought before it.

Kanu, acting through the Legal Aid Council, had asked the court to order his immediate relocation from the Sokoto facility to a custodial centre either within Abuja or in neighbouring Nasarawa State.

His legal team explained that the transfer was necessary for him to properly participate in ongoing legal processes and pursue his pending appeal without the limitations posed by his current location.

In the application, Kanu specifically sought to be moved to Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.

He added that if the court found those unsuitable, he should be transferred to any correctional facility under the court’s jurisdiction, such as Suleja or Keffi, to ease access to legal counsel.

However, Justice James Omotosho refused to grant the request at this stage.

The judge held that an order of such magnitude cannot be issued without hearing from the Federal Government, which is a key party in the matter.

He stressed that the principles of fair hearing must be followed, regardless of the sensitivity of the case.

Justice Omotosho therefore instructed Kanu’s team to convert the ex-parte motion into a motion on notice and serve it on all concerned parties.

This, he said, would give the government an opportunity to respond before the court can make any binding pronouncement on the transfer request.

The judge then adjourned the case to January 27, 2026, when the fresh motion will formally be heard.