The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected Nnamdi Kanu’s request to be transferred from Sokoto prison to either Kuje Prison in the FCT or Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State.
Kanu had filed an ex-parte application through the Legal Aid Council, praying the court to approve his request without hearing from the Federal Government.
He sought an order compelling the Federal Government and/or 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.”
Alternatively, 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.”
However, on Monday, the ex-parte application was turned down by Justice James Omotosho in the interest of justice.
The judge ordered the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to convert his ex-parte application to a motion on notice and serve same on all parties to allow them to be heard.
He subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Justice Omotosho had, last week, declined to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who announced his appearance on behalf of the IPOB leader despite not being a lawyer.
