The Department of State Services (DSS) has relocated the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Sokoto Prison following High court’s judgement.
Aloy Ejimakor, legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, made this known in a tweet made on Friday. He said, “MAZI NNAMDI KANU has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility (prison) in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and wellwishers,” the lawyer wrote on X.
On Thursday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja found Nnamdi Kanu guilty of the offense of terrorism. He sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment in relation to counts one, two, four, five, and six of the seven-count charge.
He ordered that Kanu be kept in protective prison custody in any part of the country other than the Kuje facility where prison break has been recorded in the past.
“I have no hesitation in concluding that the tendency for violence has not left the convict. As such, he must be kept in a facility suitable for his custody, as placing him in Kuje Correctional Centre may not be appropriate,” he added.
He also ordered that the convict must not be allowed near any digital device.
Recalled, Justice Omotosho ordered DSS operatives to remove Nnamdi Kanu from the courtroom after the IPOB leader exhibited unruly behavior and insisted that the pending judgment against him would not proceed. According to reports, Kanu stood his ground, refusing repeated pleas by DSS officials to heed the court’s directive, forcing the judge to suspend proceedings and direct the security personnel to escort him out.
During the chaotic court session, Kanu vociferously challenged court officials, declaring, “Don’t touch me. I’m warning you,” and repeatedly questioned the legality of the court’s authority by invoking divine sanction, saying, “Lord, show me where he say… Thank you. Show me the Lord.” His defiant remarks included proclamations such as “Any judgment in this court is rubbish,” and warnings that “God will punish you now and forever” to those involved in the trial.
The relocation to Sokoto Prison is seen as part of the DSS’s effort to maintain control and ensure the safety of all parties amid the highly sensitive and politically charged nature of Kanu’s prosecution on terrorism charges. Kanu had earlier petitioned the court to transfer him to Kuje Prison, alleging a conspiracy that could lead to his death in detention. However, this request was denied by the court.
Kanu’s trial has attracted significant national and international attention, with the IPOB leader asserting his innocence and rejecting the terrorism charges against him. The DSS maintains that the strict detention measures are necessary given the seriousness of the charges and the potential for unrest.With justice pending and tensions high, the judiciary and security agencies remain under intense scrutiny as Nigeria navigates this delicate chapter in its political and security landscape. Observers note that any further developments in Kanu’s case will continue to reverberate widely, impacting governance, security policy, and the fragile peace in the Southeast region.
