Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja rejects an urgent request by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking transfer from Sokoto Correctional Centre to a prison closer to Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho ruled on Monday that the application cannot be granted without hearing from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Kanu, sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges on November 20, 2025, had asked for relocation to Suleja or Keffi prisons, citing access to lawyers ahead of his appeal.
The request is filed through an ex parte motion by a Legal Aid Council lawyer. However, the judge questions the legality of issuing a compulsory transfer order without notifying the respondents.
After conceding that the government and NCoS must be heard, Kanu’s counsel withdraws part of the motion. Justice Omotosho consequently strikes it out and orders service of the remaining application.
The court also flags a procedural flaw in Kanu’s appeal notice, filed 10 days before judgment was delivered, rendering it invalids for now.
The case was adjourned until January 27, 2026, pending proper service and filings.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Oluwatobi Adu 