The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has turned down an attempt by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to secure a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
Kanu, acting through the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex parte application seeking an urgent order relocating him to either the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in neighbouring Nasarawa State. He argued that remaining in Sokoto hampers his ability to effectively pursue his constitutional right of appeal and participate in his ongoing legal processes.
The request, however, was dismissed on Monday, December 8, by Justice James Omotosho, who held that the application could not be decided without hearing from all parties involved. The judge ruled that, in the interest of fairness, Kanu must convert his request into a motion on notice and properly serve it on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) before the court can consider it.
Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion once it has been re-filed and duly served.
Legal analysts note that the court’s decision follows established judicial practice. Ex parte applications—where only one party is heard—are reserved for exceptional circumstances. In cases where an order could significantly affect the rights or responsibilities of another party, judges typically require a full hearing to ensure due process.
This latest ruling comes just a week after the same court rejected the attempt by Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, to represent him in court. Justice Omotosho ruled that non-lawyers cannot stand in as legal representatives in such proceedings, emphasizing the need for proper legal protocol.
By insisting on a motion on notice and adherence to procedural rules, the court has signaled its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in Kanu’s ongoing legal battle. The IPOB leader must now re-submit his application through the correct process, after which the government and the NCoS will be given the opportunity to present their positions.
Until the matter is heard and decided, Kanu will remain in the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
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