By Huldah Shado
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Custodial Centre to a facility closer to the capital to enable him pursue his appeal.
Kanu, recently sentenced to life imprisonment, stated in the motion ex parte that remaining in Sokoto hampers his ability to effectively challenge his conviction.
The application, personally signed by him, was presented on Thursday by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who informed the court that the IPOB leader could not appear physically.
He argued that detaining him far from Abuja imposes exceptional hardship and makes the exercise of his constitutional right of appeal impracticable.
He urged the court to order his transfer to a facility within the Federal Capital Territory or, alternatively, to Suleja or Keffi.
However, Justice James Omotosho declined to hear the application after noting that Emmanuel Kanu could not represent the convict because he is not a legal practitioner.
The judge advised that the motion must be moved by a lawyer or through the Legal Aid Council.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 8, 2025.
Justice Omotosho also warned against issuing misleading public statements regarding Kanu’s ability to prepare his appeal record, clarifying that his physical presence is not required for that process.
