A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application seeking the transfer of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility within the Federal Capital Territory or neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Kanu, acting through the Legal Aid Council, filed an ex parte motion requesting an order directing the authorities to relocate him from Sokoto to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi facility in Nasarawa. He also proposed other custodial centres within the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that relocating him would enable him to properly pursue his appeal.
The court refused the application, ruling that such an order cannot be made without first hearing from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service. The judge held that the respondents must be given the opportunity to respond in the interest of justice before any directive on transfer can be considered. The matter has been adjourned for hearing of the substantive motion.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted on multiple terrorism-related charges. He was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre due to security concerns associated with his previous detention in Kuje, where prison breaks had previously occurred.
His legal team has argued that his detention far from Abuja hampers the preparation of his appeal, noting that his relatives, associates, and legal consultants are all based in the capital. They also contend that the distance makes it difficult to compile necessary documents and coordinate legal strategy.
