Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer to Abuja Prison

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a request to transfer Biafra activist Nnamdi Kanu's custody from Sokoto, where he is serving a life sentence, to Abuja.

Judge James Omotosho rejected the application after the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) withdrew from representing Kanu.

Demdoo Asan, who served as the Senior Legal Officer for LACON, announced this withdrawal, indicating conflicts that could not be reconciled.

"Since the last court sitting, I have been in constant contact with the applicant’s family members, but they failed to appear in our office to provide the application despite repeated promises to do so," Asan explained.

He added, "The applicant wants to control my statements and influence what I present in court. As an officer of the court, that is unacceptable to me."

During the court session, Asan conveyed that he had consulted with his superiors, who shared his concerns. He indicated they would handle the case according to their professional judgement or the applicant could seek alternative legal representation.

Upon hearing this, Judge Omotosho acknowledged the counsel's decision to step away, commending him for upholding the court's dignity. He approved the withdrawal request and deemed the application as "incompetent."

Despite identifying flaws within the filing, the judge instructed that the involved parties should still be notified of any documentation submitted in the interest of justice. However, he pointed out a lack of proof confirming they had been served since the previous court date on December 8, 2025.

Consequently, the ex-parte motion was struck down for being procedurally unsound. LACON had taken up the case after Mr. Kanu's brother attempted to file the request, but was turned away as he wasn’t legally recognized to do so.

In the courtroom, the judge reminded that Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism-related charges on November 20, 2025. This conviction arose from his advocacy for the independence of Nigeria's South- east through violent means.

The ruling ordered Kanu’s confinement in any secure prison facility across Nigeria, but not in Abuja, which has experienced jailbreak incidents. This arrangement led to his current incarceration in Sokoto.

Subsequently, Kanu sought a court order compelling the federal government and the Nigerian Correctional Service to move him to a facility near Abuja. He argued such relocation was necessary to prosecute his appeal rights effectively.

When the motion was previously addressed on December 4, 2025, the judge disallowed an attempt by Kanu’s brother to represent him, mandating that legal counsel must be formally appointed.

While a lawyer from LACON was later appointed, the judge refused the request for a transfer on December 8 based on procedural protocol, highlighting that opposing parties needed to be duly notified prior to considering such a request.

During the Tuesday session, it was reiterated that no formal notification had been provided to the relevant parties as required. Kanu's lengthy legal saga began with his arrest in October 2015 on serious charges, including treasonable felony.

After being granted bail in 2017, he fled the country but was apprehended in Kenya in June 2021 and returned to Nigeria for trial. The proceedings have seen numerous adjournments and challenges, with Kanu ultimately being convicted on seven terrorism charges in November 2025.

As Kanu continues to serve his sentence, he has been pursuing legal actions regarding his representation and custody status.