By Abiola Olawale
The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied an ex parte application filed by the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his immediate transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the matter, ruled on Monday, December 8, 2025, that such an order could not be granted without first hearing from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex parte application requesting an order directing the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately move him from Sokoto to either Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
In the alternative, he asked to be transferred to any custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi, to enable him to effectively pursue his appeal.
However, Justice Omotosho held that the respondents; the Federal Government and NCoS, ought to be put on notice for them to respond appropriately in the interest of justice, before the request could be granted.
He subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
On November 20, the court found him guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Kanu was thereafter moved to the Sokoto correctional Facility due to concerns for his safety at Kuje, where previous prison breaks had been recorded.
