By John Umeh
The Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down an emergency request by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who sought to be moved out of the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Kanu, currently being held in Sokoto following ongoing proceedings against him, had—through the Legal Aid Council—asked the court to compel the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to relocate him to a detention facility within the Federal Capital Territory or nearby Nasarawa State. His preferred locations included the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi facility in Nasarawa.
He argued that being kept in Sokoto was hindering his ability to properly pursue his appeal and requested, in the alternative, to be transferred to any correctional centre within the Abuja judicial division, such as Suleja or Keffi.
But Justice James Omotosho declined to grant the request, ruling that the application—filed ex parte—could not be decided without hearing from the Federal Government, which is a respondent in the matter.
The judge ordered Kanu’s legal team to convert the emergency motion into a formal motion on notice and serve copies on the relevant parties. The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, when the court will hear arguments from all sides.
