The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused to grant an ex-parte motion filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to the court.
Kanu, who was convicted on terrorism-related offences, had applied for an order compelling the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately relocate him to a facility within the court’s jurisdiction. In the motion, he requested a transfer to Suleja or Keffi Custodial Centre to enable him “effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”
The application was moved by his counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Demdoo Asan.
Ruling on the request, Justice James Omotosho held that the relief sought by Kanu could not be granted through an ex-parte application. He stated that both respondents—the Federal Government and the NCoS—must first be put on notice to allow them to respond in the interest of justice.
Justice Omotosho emphasised that such an order, if granted without hearing from the respondents, would amount to denying them the opportunity to present their position on a matter directly affecting them.
Consequently, the judge adjourned the case to January 27, 2026, directing Kanu’s legal team to serve the necessary court processes on all parties before the motion can be taken.