Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suffered a procedural setback when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to allow his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, to represent him during a hearing on December 4, 2025, for his ex-parte motion seeking transfer from Sokoto Correctional Facility. The court adjourned the substantive motion to December 8, 2025, after dismissing Emmanuel who is not a lawyer from proceedings, emphasizing Kanu must appear personally or through qualified counsel despite his self-representation choice post-conviction. Kanu, convicted November 20, 2025, on seven terrorism counts and sentenced to life imprisonment, was relocated to Sokoto (over 700km from Abuja) for safety after Kuje prison breaks.
In his motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu cited eight grounds including distance hindering appeal preparation, lack of counsel, and Abuja-based support network, arguing detention violates Section 36 constitutional rights by rendering appeal "impracticable". He requested transfer to a facility within court jurisdiction or nearby like Suleja/Keffi Custodial Centres to access registry and Court of Appeal. The government/NCoS must respond at adjourned date.
This development delays Kanu's self-led appeal against life term from 2015 charges, amid IPOB agitation and security concerns. Justice Omotosho deemed motion moved in absentia pending hearing.