The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking a transfer from his detention at the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to the Federal Capital Territory.

 During proceedings on Tuesday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s motion was incompetent and improperly before the court, effectively dismissing the request without granting the relocation he sought.

Kanu, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 after being found guilty on terrorism-related charges, argued in an ex-parte motion that his current detention location in Sokoto would hinder his ability to effectively prosecute his appeal.

 His legal team had asked the court to move him to correctional centres such as Kuje in Abuja or Keffi in Nasarawa State, or any facility under the jurisdiction of the Abuja court to ease access to counsel and the appeal process. The judge, however, held that such a request could not be granted without proper procedural steps, including hearing from all parties involved.

The hearing also saw Kanu’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria apply to withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences and noting that relatives failed to appear to depose to supporting affidavits. 

With the transfer application struck out, the court has instructed that the motion be refiled on notice and served on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service, so that all respondents can be heard. The matter is now expected to proceed accordingly under these procedural requirements.