Court Sets December 8 Hearing On Nnamdi Kanu’s Sokoto Prison Stay – Move Could Shake Nigeria

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled December 8 for the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking his relocation from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after declining to hear the application on Thursday due to Kanu’s lack of legal representation in court.

Kanu, who personally signed the motion, requested that the court deem the application as moved in his absence, arguing that he is unable to appear physically before the court or in chambers.

He is asking the court to compel the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer him to a custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction. In the alternative, he seeks to be moved to a closer prison such as Suleja or Keffi to enable him effectively pursue his constitutional right of appeal.

During Thursday’s sitting, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, announced appearance on his behalf, but the judge refused to recognize him since he is not a legal practitioner.

“This ex parte motion cannot be moved on behalf of the convict because you are not a lawyer,” Justice Omotosho ruled.

He advised Emmanuel to engage a qualified counsel or approach the Legal Aid Council for support, stressing that only a certified legal practitioner can represent a human defendant.

The court also addressed public misconceptions about the appeal process. Justice Omotosho clarified that Kanu’s physical presence is not required to compile appeal records and cautioned lawyers and associates against misleading the public.

He reiterated that a convict’s rights differ from those of an accused and urged proper legal guidance moving forward.

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, states that Kanu was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, with an order that he be detained in any correctional facility except Kuje.

Kanu noted that his current detention in Sokoto—over 700 kilometers from Abuja—poses significant hardship, obstructing his access to legal assistance and infringing upon his constitutional right to an effective appeal under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He argued that transferring him to a facility close to Abuja is necessary to ensure justice and enable him to properly prosecute his appeal.