The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking to be transferred from the Sokoto Custodial Centre where he is currently serving a life sentence. Kanu argued that remaining in the remote facility would severely obstruct his constitutional right to appeal his conviction.
Kanu, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism related charges, personally signed the motion ex parte. The application was presented in court on Thursday by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu. According to the filing, the IPOB leader was transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility on November 21, 2025, placing him more than 700 kilometres away from Abuja, where all court processes concerning his appeal are being handled.
In the motion, Kanu explained that he is currently unrepresented by counsel and intends to personally draft and file his notice of appeal. He stressed that this requires direct access to the Registry of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, making his detention in Sokoto a significant barrier.
Kanu argued that the physical distance prevents him from effectively engaging with the judicial system and with individuals who are essential to preparing his appeal. The motion noted that his relatives, associates and legal consultants are all based in Abuja and cannot easily visit him in the far away prison facility.
According to the application, keeping Kanu in Sokoto creates what he described as exceptional hardship, rendering it nearly impossible for him to exercise his constitutional rights. He warned that the situation could amount to a violation of Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing and access to justice.
The motion stated that the applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, occasioning exceptional hardship and potentially defeating the said right. It further insisted that transferring him to a facility closer to Abuja is necessary to ensure fairness and due process.
The motion marks the latest development in Kanu’s ongoing legal battle following his conviction. Observers note that the outcome of this application may significantly shape the next phase of his appeal process. The Federal High Court is expected to review Kanu’s request and determine whether he will be relocated to a custodial centre within Abuja or its environs to facilitate his legal preparations.
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