By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declined to grant Nnamdi Kanu’s ex parte motion requesting a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the application, filed by Legal Aid Council lawyer Demdoo Asan, could not proceed without notifying the respondents, including the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The IPOB leader, sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20 for terrorism-related offences, had proposed Suleja or Keffi custodial centres as alternatives.
The judge struck out the part of Kanu’s motion seeking a “compelling” order for transfer and emphasized that all parties must have the right to be heard. The court also questioned the validity of a notice of appeal filed before the judgment, noting it was dated November 10.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to January 27, 2026, to allow Kanu to properly serve the necessary parties and for the application to be heard.
