The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an ex-parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed IPOB, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Kanu, who is convicted on terrorism charges, had asked the court to compel the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to move him to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction preferably Suleja or Keffi to enable him properly pursue his appeal.
But Justice James Omotosho ruled that such a request cannot be granted through an ex-parte application, stressing that the Federal Government and the NCoS must first be put on notice before the court can consider the motion.
The judge questioned why Kanu attempted to “compel” the respondents without hearing from them, noting that even “a law school student will know this application cannot be granted ex-parte.”
Kanu’s counsel, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, admitted that the respondents had the right to be heard and agreed that the first relief in the application should be struck out.
In a twist, the court also observed irregularities in Kanu’s notice of appeal, which was dated 10 November, ten days before the judgment delivered on 20 November meaning no valid appeal was before the court.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the Federal Government and NCoS be properly served and adjourned the case to January 27, 2026 for hearing.
Kanu’s team told the court they would “do the needful.”
