Federal High Court Declines Nnamdi Kanu’s Ex‑Parte Bid for Prison Transfer, Adjourns to January 2026
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has declined to grant an ex‑parte application filed on behalf of the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the reliefs sought could not be granted through an ex‑parte process, stressing that the respondents must be placed on notice to enable them respond in the interest of justice.
Kanu, who was last month sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction on terrorism charges, had approached the court seeking, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to transfer him from Sokoto to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
Through his counsel, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Kanu also prayed in the alternative for his relocation to custodial centres in Suleja or Keffi, arguing that proximity to the court was necessary to enable him effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.
The court, however, ruled that such requests could not be determined without hearing from the respondents. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, to allow the applicant serve the relevant parties and for the application to be properly taken.
It would be recalled that on December 4, 2025, the court had earlier adjourned the matter after declining to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, who attempted to announce appearance for him despite not being a legal practitioner. The adjournment was to enable the applicant secure proper legal representation.
