A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a motion by Nnamdi Kanu. leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) seeking transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility within Abuja or Nasarawa State.
The application was filed ex parte through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), asking the court either to order the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Federal Government to transfer him or place him in a facility closer to the court (such as Kuje, Suleja, or Keffi) to facilitate his appeal.
But during December 8th Monday’s proceeding, presiding judge James Omotosho held that such a transfer cannot be granted without first hearing from the respondents (the Federal Government and NCoS). He struck out the “compel transfer” request (Relief One) and ordered that any future motion be filed on notice and the relevant parties served.
Kanu now has until January 27, 2026, to convert the application into a proper motion on notice, after which the court will hear arguments on the transfer request.
Previously, the court had also rejected an attempt by his younger brother, who is not a lawyer, to represent him, reinforcing that only a qualified legal practitioner may handle his case.
The decision underscores the court’s insistence on due process and fair hearing before granting extraordinary prison‑transfer requests even in high‑profile, politically charged cases such as this.
