The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 8 for the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently serving a life sentence for terrorism offences.
Justice James Omotosho set the date after declining to hear the application from Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who attempted to appear on his behalf despite not being a lawyer. The judge made it clear that only a legal practitioner can move such an application and advised Emmanuel to engage counsel or approach the Legal Aid Council for representation.
In the motion personally signed by Kanu, he requested that the court deem the application as moved in his absence since he is unable to personally appear in court. He also sought an order directing the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre within the court’s jurisdiction. Alternatively, he asked to be moved to a nearby facility such as Suleja or Keffi to enable him to effectively pursue his appeal.
Kanu, who dismissed his legal team before his conviction on November 20, is currently without legal representation. He argues that his detention in Sokoto—over 700 kilometres from Abuja—makes it difficult to exercise his constitutional right of appeal, as those assisting him are all based in Abuja.
Justice Omotosho cautioned against misinformation regarding the appeal process, noting that a defendant or convict does not need to be physically present to compile an appeal record. The judge criticised comments made by one of Kanu’s former lawyers, describing them as misleading.
After refusing to entertain Emmanuel’s appearance, the judge adjourned the case to December 8 for the hearing of the motion. Kanu maintains that his transfer to a facility near Abuja is essential to avoid a violation of his constitutional rights and to ensure he can properly pursue his appeal.
