NNAMDI KANU’S BID FOR TRANSFER OUT OF SOKOTO PRISON REJECTED
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out an ex parte motion filed by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, in which he sought a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Justice James Omotosho dismissed the motion after counsel from the Legal Aid Council, who had been handling the case, applied to withdraw, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
Kanu was convicted on terrorism-related charges on November 20, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment—a verdict his family rejected and vowed to appeal. Following his sentencing, Kanu was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre after the court ruled that the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja would not be suitable for him.
On December 8, 2025, Kanu filed an ex parte motion seeking a transfer to a facility closer to the Federal Capital Territory, suggesting either Suleja in Niger State or a custodial centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Speaking in court on Tuesday, Legal Aid Council counsel Demdoo Asan said that despite repeated communication, Kanu’s relatives failed to appear to depose in support of the motion.
“Since the last adjourned date, I have been in constant phone communication with the relatives of the applicant. However, they did not show up at our office to depose to the application, despite repeated calls and promises,” he stated.
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Asan also raised concerns that Kanu was attempting to dictate how the case should be handled, including instructing counsel on what to say in court—a situation he described as unacceptable for an officer of the court.
“The applicant wants to control what counsel would say, even attempting to write down my statements for court. As an officer of the court, I cannot in good faith accept that,” Asan added.
After consulting with superiors at the Legal Aid Council, counsel said they unanimously decided to withdraw, noting that a client cannot control legal proceedings from detention.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Omotosho commended the Legal Aid Council for upholding the dignity of the court, granted them leave to withdraw, and struck out the ex parte motion for lack of competence. The judge noted that there was no proof of service to relevant parties since the last adjourned date.
“Having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, I will grant leave for the council to withdraw from representing the defendant convict. The motion itself was incompetent. In the interest of justice, other parties involved should be served notice, but from December 8, 2025, until today, January 27, there is no proof of service before this court,” Justice Omotosho said.
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