Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu's Request for Relocation from Sokoto Prison

A Federal High Court situated in Abuja has ruled against a motion submitted by Nnamdi Kanu, who is the self-proclaimed head of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking his transfer from the Sokoto prison where he is presently incarcerated.

In a verdict issued on Tuesday, January 27, Justice James Omotosho declared that the application was lacking in competency, noting that Kanu had not adhered to a prior court directive requiring him to formalize the motion.

Justice Omotosho explained that on December 8, 2025, the court had instructed Kanu to modify the ex parte application into a motion on notice and to ensure that it was served to relevant parties that could be impacted by the court’s ruling.

"The matter before the court pertains to a motion that was presented inadequately, relating to the request for the transfer of the convict from his current location," the judge remarked.

"This application does not meet the necessary requirements. Nevertheless, in the interest of justice, when the case was presented, the court suggested that the motion be amended, effectively advising the applicant to file a motion on notice instead."

Justice Omotosho pointed out that Kanu had not complied with this directive within the allocated timeframe.

"Since the applicant failed to submit the motion on notice by today, January 27, 2026, there is no valid application awaiting decision in this court," he stated. "Consequently, the ex parte motion is dismissed as there is nothing left to adjudicate."

This decision marks the conclusion of Kanu's application for relocation, as the court determined that due process was not observed in the handling of the motion.