Court declines Nnamdi Kanu’s request to be transferred from Sokoto prison
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility within the Federal Capital Territory or neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex-parte motion asking the court to order the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately move him from Sokoto to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
Alternatively, he requested a transfer to any custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi, to allow him properly pursue his appeal.
At the hearing of the application today December 8, Justice Omotosho declined the request, ruling that such an order could not be granted without hearing from the Federal Government.
The judge directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte application into a motion on notice and serve all parties to allow fair hearing.
Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
