The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an ex parte motion filed by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who sought to be moved from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility either in the Federal Capital Territory or in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had approached the court with an ex parte request asking for an order compelling the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately relocate him from Sokoto to the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.
In the alternative, he sought a transfer to any facility within the court’s territorial jurisdiction—including Suleja or Keffi—to enable him to effectively pursue his pending appeal.
However, Justice James Omotosho on Monday rejected the application, holding that such relief could not be granted without hearing the position of the Federal Government.
The judge instructed Kanu to convert the ex parte motion into a motion on notice and serve the respondents to allow all parties adequate opportunity to be heard.
Justice Omotosho then scheduled January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
