- Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request For Transfer From Sokoto Prison.
- Judge orders motion on notice and service on all parties.
- Hearing on the transfer application set for January 27.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a request by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the court held that Kanu must convert his application into a motion on notice and serve it on all parties before it can be considered. Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex parte application asking the court to move him from Sokoto to either Kuje Prison in the FCT or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State.
He argued that the transfer was necessary “for the purpose of enabling the applicant to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.” His filing asked the court to compel the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Federal Government to “forthwith transfer him … to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
On Monday December 8, Justice James Omotosho refused the ex parte request, stressing that the interest of justice required all parties to be heard. He directed Kanu to refile the application as a motion on notice and serve it on the government and the correctional authorities.
The judge fixed January 27, 2026 for the hearing of the motion on notice. Legal analysts say the ruling follows standard procedure since ex parte applications are granted only in limited circumstances, particularly when the outcome could affect other parties.
Last week, the judge also declined to accept the appearance of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who attempted to stand in for him in court, noting that he is not a lawyer.
With the latest ruling, the court emphasised that proper representation and full hearing from all sides must be ensured before any order for transfer can be made. Kanu is now expected to refile his request and serve the relevant authorities, after which they will be given the chance to respond.
For now, he remains in custody at the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
