The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to formally notify the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) of his application seeking a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Monday after refusing to grant Kanu’s request ex-parte. Instead, he ruled that the government and the NCoS must first be served with the motion to allow them respond.
Kanu, in the ex-parte application, asked the court to compel the Federal Government and the NCoS to move him from the Sokoto facility to a custodial centre within the jurisdiction of the court. Alternatively, he requested to be transferred to a nearby facility—such as Suleja or Keffi—to enable him properly pursue his appeal.
When the case came up, Kanu’s lawyer, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, moved the application. Justice Omotosho, however, questioned the propriety of using an ex-parte motion to “compel” the authorities, noting that such an order should not be made without hearing from the parties involved.
The judge further queried why the prosecution and the NCoS were not put on notice, stressing that they must be heard since they are responsible for Kanu’s custody.
Asan conceded, agreeing that the respondents should indeed be notified and heard before any transfer order could be made.
Justice Omotosho subsequently struck out the first prayer in the ex-parte motion—based on the lawyer’s request—and directed that the Federal Government and the NCoS be served accordingly.
The judge also noted that Kanu’s notice of appeal, filed on November 10, was invalid because it was lodged before the court’s judgment of November 20, which convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for hearing after the respondents have been served with the motion.
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