The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 8 for the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Justice James Omotosho set the date after refusing to recognise the appearance of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who attempted to represent him despite not being a lawyer.
Kanu Seeks Transfer to Abuja Environs
In the application personally signed by him, Kanu asked the court to deem the motion moved in his absence, citing his inability to appear in court.
He is seeking an order directing the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer him from Sokoto to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction.
In the alternative, he asked to be moved to custodial centres near Abuja—such as Suleja or Keffi—to enable him to pursue his appeal against his conviction.
Kanu was convicted of terrorism offences on November 20 and is currently serving a life sentence in the Sokoto Correctional Centre. He had earlier dismissed his legal team and opted to represent himself.
Brother Barred from Standing In
When the matter was called, Justice Omotosho demanded the appearance of a lawyer. Emmanuel Kanu then rose to represent his brother, but the judge rejected the move.
“This ex parte motion cannot be moved on behalf of the convict because you are not a legal practitioner,” the judge said.
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He advised Emmanuel to either engage a lawyer or approach the Legal Aid Council, stressing that only a certified legal practitioner can move such applications.
Court Warns Against Public Misinformation
Justice Omotosho cautioned against misleading the public on the appeal process. He dismissed claims attributed to one of Kanu’s former lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, that Kanu must be present in court to compile his appeal record.
“The defendant may not be in court to compile a record. His attendance is not required,” he said, noting that the rights of a defendant differ from those of a convict.
The judge also asked lawyers present to confirm whether physical presence was necessary for compiling the record, and they replied in the negative.
Adjournment and Grounds for Request
After refusing to take Emmanuel’s appearance, the court adjourned the case to December 8.
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu stated that his detention in Sokoto, over 700 kilometres from Abuja, makes it impossible for him to prepare and file his appeal.
He said those assisting him, including family members and consultants, are all in Abuja, and that the distance imposes “exceptional hardship” and threatens his constitutional right to appeal.
Kanu asked the court to order his transfer to a facility closer to the capital in the interest of justice.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
