The Federal High Court in Abuja today struck out an application by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking a transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility nearer to the capital.
Justice James Omotosho struck out the ex parte motion, ruling it was "incompetent". The decision followed the withdrawal of the lawyer representing Kanu, who was provided by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).
The court proceedings took a decisive turn when the Legal Aid Council's counsel, Demdoo Asan, applied to withdraw from the case. Mr. Asan cited "irreconcilable differences," stating that despite repeated communication, Kanu's relatives failed to appear to complete necessary legal documentation.
He further informed the court that the applicant attempted to dictate the conduct of the case. "The applicant wants to dictate the tune of the matter... he wants to write down what I would say while in court. But, as an officer of the court, I can't in good faith accept that," Asan stated.
Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding professional ethics and granted the request to withdraw. The judge subsequently struck out the transfer motion, noting it was improperly filed and that there was no proof that relevant parties had been served as previously directed by the court.
Nnamdi Kanu was convicted on terrorism related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025. Following the sentencing, he was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
In his motion, Kanu argued that detention over 700 kilometres from Abuja hindered his constitutional right to appeal, as it prevented him and his associates from effectively preparing the necessary legal documents. He sought a transfer to a custodial facility in Suleja or Keffi, which are closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
This was the second setback for the request. On December 8, 2025, Justice Omotosho had declined to hear the motion as an ex parte application (made without notifying the other side), directing that the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service be properly served.
In a swift reaction, Kanu's legal team rejected the court's ruling, describing it as "procedural theatre". In a statement, the team criticized the proceedings and affirmed their focus on the main appeal against Kanu's life sentence.
"The matter has moved irreversibly beyond the trial court. It is headed to the Court of Appeal, where the Nigerian judiciary itself will be on trial," the statement read. They vowed to challenge all issues related to his conviction and detention at the appellate level.
Nnamdi Kanu's legal journey has spanned over a decade, involving charges of treasonable felony and terrorism. He was arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and subsequently rearrested in Kenya in 2021 before his trial resumed.
With today's ruling, Nnamdi Kanu remains incarcerated at the Sokoto Correctional Centre. The focus now shifts to the Court of Appeal, where his legal team has indicated they will challenge both his original conviction and the conditions of his detention.