The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled December 8 for the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to Abuja.
Kanu, who was convicted on November 20, 2025, on all seven charges of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government, is currently serving a life sentence. Following his conviction, the court directed that he be kept in any correctional centre except Kuje, citing security concerns after previous jailbreaks at the facility. He was subsequently moved to the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
During Thursday’s proceedings, drama briefly unfolded when Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, attempted to stand in for him. Emmanuel, who is not a legal practitioner, announced an appearance to move the motion on his brother’s behalf.
Presiding judge Justice James Omotosho immediately halted him, stating that only a licensed legal practitioner could address the court or move an application.
“This ex parte motion cannot be moved on behalf of the convict because you are not a legal practitioner,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
The judge advised Emmanuel to urgently engage the services of a lawyer or approach the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria if the family is unable to secure legal representation.
He stressed that representation in court does not extend to family members, adding that Emmanuel lacked the capacity to move any motion.
“You can only represent a corporate body, not a human being. To qualify as a lawyer will take another six years or more, so get a counsel,” the judge added.
Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter to Monday, December 8, assuring that the case would be accommodated despite a busy docket.
The court also addressed comments recently attributed to Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s previously disengaged lawyers, who had claimed that the IPOB leader was being denied the opportunity to compile his appeal record.
“The defendant does not need to be physically present in court to compile his record of appeal,” he said, noting that a convict’s rights differ from those of a defendant awaiting trial.
He called on legal practitioners to stop misinforming the public and cautioned Emmanuel against relying on advice from individuals not fully knowledgeable about appellate procedure.
Kanu Argues Transfer is Crucial for His Appeal
In the motion filed and personally signed by Kanu, the IPOB leader asked the court to deem the motion moved in absentia since he cannot be physically present to argue it.
He is seeking an order compelling the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer him from Sokoto to a facility within the Abuja judicial division, such as Suleja or Keffi, to enable him effectively prepare and file his appeal.
Kanu argued that he intends to personally exercise his constitutional right of appeal.
The appeal process requires close interaction with the Federal High Court Registry and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
His lawyers, associates, and family members who assist with legal preparation are all based in Abuja.
His continued detention in far-away Sokoto which is over 700 km from Abuja makes the appeal process impracticable and imposes “exceptional hardship.”
He further submitted that the situation may undermine his constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court will determine the motion when the matter resumes on December 8.
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