The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking to be moved from the Sokoto Correctional Facility, where he is currently serving a life sentence.
Kanu, who personally signed the ex parte motion, told the court that keeping him in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres from Abuja—would make it nearly impossible for him to properly file and prosecute his appeal against his recent conviction.
The motion was presented in court on Thursday by Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu.
‘Detention in Sokoto Hampers My Appeal’ — Kanu
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu argued that:
- He was convicted on November 20 on seven terrorism-related charges.
- The court ordered that he be held in any correctional centre except Kuje.
- He was transferred to Sokoto on November 21, 2025.
- He has no legal representation at the moment and intends to personally initiate his appeal.
- Preparing the notice and record of appeal requires his direct interaction with court registries in Abuja.
- His family, associates, and consultants who can assist him are all based in Abuja.
He maintained that keeping him in Sokoto would cause “exceptional hardship,” violate his constitutional rights under Section 36, and practically deprive him of the ability to appeal.
Kanu asked the court to order the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to relocate him to a custodial facility within Abuja’s jurisdiction. Alternatively, he requested to be transferred to a centre close to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi.
Court Rejects Brother’s Attempt to Move Motion
When the motion came up for hearing, trial judge Justice James Omotosho refused to allow Kanu’s brother to address the court, stressing that only a lawyer can move such an application.
“You cannot represent a human being when you are not a lawyer,” the judge said, advising the family to hire a legal practitioner or seek help from the Legal Aid Council.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to December 8, but issued a warning against attempts to mislead the public about Kanu’s legal situation.
He referenced comments by former counsel Aloy Ejimakor, who had suggested that Kanu could not compile his appeal record from Sokoto. The judge disagreed, clarifying that a convict’s presence is not required for the compilation of appeal records.
“The rights of a defendant are different from the rights of a convict,” Justice Omotosho said.
With the adjourned date approaching, attention will now turn to whether Kanu secures legal representation—and whether the court will grant his request to be moved closer to the capital for the sake of his appeal.
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