Court Denies Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Prison Transfer as Lawyer Withdraws

An Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed an application by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

Justice James Omotosho struck out the request on Tuesday following the withdrawal of Kanu’s lawyer from the case.

The lawyer, Demdoo Asan of the Legal Aid Council, informed the court of his decision to step down, citing irreconcilable differences with his client. Asan explained that despite maintaining communication with Kanu’s relatives, they failed to visit his office to complete necessary procedures for the application.

He further stated that Kanu had attempted to dictate courtroom conduct, including scripting what the lawyer should say during proceedings a practice Asan described as unacceptable for an officer of the court.

“Consultations with my superiors led to a unanimous decision that we can no longer proceed under these conditions,” Asan told the court, invoking court rules to formalize his withdrawal.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended Asan for upholding professional integrity and granted the withdrawal application. The judge also declared the transfer request incompetent, noting a lack of proper service to other parties and no proof of service since the last hearing in December 2025.

Nnamdi Kanu was convicted on seven counts of terrorism-related charges last November and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was later moved from Abuja to the Sokoto facility.

Following the transfer, Kanu’s legal consultant, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, raised concerns that incarcerating Kanu far from Abuja severely hinders his right to appeal. Ejimakor argued that the distance would complicate meeting strict procedural deadlines and noted that the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal lacks jurisdiction over the case.

He emphasized that several facilities nearer to Abuja would have preserved Kanu’s access to legal resources and family, calling the move a threat to his constitutional rights.