The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an ex parte request filed on behalf of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking immediate relocation from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a detention facility within Abuja or nearby Nasarawa State.
Kanu, represented by the Legal Aid Council, had asked the court to compel the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to transfer him to the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa, or any other facility under the jurisdiction of the court—such as Suleja—so he could properly pursue his pending appeal.
But Justice James Omotosho declined to grant the application, explaining that such an order could not be made without giving the Federal Government an opportunity to present its position.
The judge ruled that Kanu must convert his ex parte motion into a motion on notice and serve it on all relevant parties to satisfy the principles of fair hearing.
Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter to January 27, 2026, when the motion will be heard.
