Court declines Kanu’s request for transfer from Sokoto prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant the ex parte motion filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to another custodial facility closer to the Federal Capital Territory.

Justice James Omotosho refused the request, stating that Kanu’s application, moved by a Legal Aid Council of Nigeria lawyer, Demdoo Asan, could not be granted by way of an ex parte motion.

Kanu was convicted of terrorism-related offences on November 20 and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment, a verdict his family has rejected and vowed to appeal.

Following his sentencing, Kanu was taken to the Sokoto Correctional Centre to serve his sentence after the court held that the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja would not be suitable for him.

He, however, filed a motion before the trial court requesting that he be transferred from the Sokoto facility to any other custodial centre closer to Abuja, suggesting Suleja (Niger State) or Keffi custodial centres in Nasarawa State.

In the motion, Kanu sought “an order compelling the complainant (Federal Government) and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court”.

He also sought “an order transferring him to the court’s immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant (Kanu) to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”

Earlier, on December 4, Justice Omotosho had fixed Monday for the hearing of the ex parte motion after declining to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who had announced an appearance for the IPOB leader despite not being a legal practitioner.

The judge had told him that he could not represent his brother, directing that a lawyer be engaged or one be provided by LACoN.

Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Omotosho held that the respondents, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service ought to be put on notice to enable them to respond appropriately in the interest of justice before any order could be made.

When the matter was called, Asan announced his appearance for Kanu and moved the motion, explaining that it contained two prayers.

Justice Omotosho drew his attention to Relief One, which sought an order “compelling” the Federal Government and the NCoS to transfer the convict to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge asked the lawyer whether he intended to proceed with that relief, particularly in view of the word “compel” used in an ex parte application. Asan agreed that Relief One should be struck out.

The court also queried whether the prosecution and the NCoS ought to be served with the application.

“You are from the Legal Aid Council. Do you think it is by ex parte motion that this application ought to be granted, bearing in mind that judgment was delivered when both parties were present?

“Also, among the respondents to obey the order is the correctional service. Do you think it is through an ex parte motion that the court can make the order for his transfer?

“Don’t you think this application should have come by motion on notice?” the judge asked.

In response, Asan admitted that the respondents needed to be put on notice before the matter could be determined.

“My Lord, the respondents have the right to be heard. Usually, the court can make an order that they should be put on notice,” he said.

“So, do you agree that the respondents should be heard and that this application cannot be taken now?” the judge asked.

“Yes, my Lord, they should be heard. We will be applying that the complainant and other parties involved should be put on notice,” Asan replied.

Consequently, Justice Omotosho struck out Relief One and ordered that the prosecution and the NCoS be served to enable them to respond.

“A law school student will know that this application cannot be granted ex parte,” the judge remarked.

Asan explained that he had been on leave when he was directed by a superior officer to take up the matter.

The court also faulted the notice of appeal filed by Kanu, which was submitted before the delivery of the judgment.

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“Counsel, do you have your notice of appeal?” the judge asked.

Asan responded that he had only been instructed to take up the brief.

Justice Omotosho then directed the court registrar to show the lawyer the notice of appeal in the court file and asked him to read the date.

“This notice of appeal is dated November 10, my Lord, that was before the judgment,” Asan said.

The judge held that, based on the judgment delivered on November 20, there was no valid notice of appeal before the court.

Asan said they would “do the needful”.

The court adjourned the matter until January 27, 2026, to enable the applicant to serve the necessary parties and for the application to be heard.