A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an ex parte application filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a facility closer to the Federal Capital Territory.

Kanu, through a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, asked the court to direct the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service to move him to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or the Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State. In the alternative, he requested a transfer to any correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that being closer would help him pursue his appeal effectively.

The trial judge refused to grant the request as presented, stating that such an order could not be made without hearing from the respondents. The court held that the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service must be put on notice and allowed to respond before any decision can be taken on a request of this nature.

During proceedings, the judge reportedly drew attention to the wording of one of the reliefs in the motion, particularly the request to “compel” the authorities to act. Kanu’s counsel is said to have agreed that the offending relief should be struck out. The court then directed that the relevant parties be properly served.

The case is expected to continue once the application is converted to a motion on notice. A new hearing date has been fixed to allow service on the necessary parties and enable a full response.

Kanu’s latest request follows his conviction and sentencing on terrorism-related charges, after which he was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre. His legal team has argued that keeping him far from Abuja complicates access to counsel and legal preparations.

For now, the ruling means Kanu remains in Sokoto while the Federal Government and correctional authorities are expected to be formally served ahead of the next hearing