The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an ex-parte application by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking an immediate transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility within or near the Federal Capital Territory.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, asked the court to order the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to move him to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State. He argued that the transfer was necessary to enable him to effectively pursue his appeal currently pending before the court.
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As an alternative, the application requested that he be moved to any facility within the court’s jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi.
Justice James Omotosho, however, declined the request on Monday, ruling that such an order could not be granted without first hearing from the Federal Government. The court held that granting the application ex-parte—without the response of the opposing party—would violate the principle of fair hearing.
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The judge directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte motion into a motion on notice and serve it on all relevant parties.
Justice Omotosho fixed January 27, 2026 for hearing of the motion.
