By Muhammad Mamman
A Federal High Court has rejected an application filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to another facility.
The court, ruling on Monday, held that Kanu failed to provide sufficient grounds to warrant an order for his relocation. His legal team had argued that his continued detention in Sokoto posed risks to his health and personal safety, insisting that a transfer was necessary to ensure better access to medical care and legal representation.
However, the prosecution countered that the claims were unsubstantiated and that the current facility was fully capable of guaranteeing his safety and meeting his medical needs. The court agreed, ruling that the defence had not demonstrated any exceptional circumstance that justified a transfer.
The judge further stated that granting such a request without compelling evidence could disrupt ongoing legal processes, stressing that the Correctional Service has the constitutional authority to determine the most appropriate detention facility for inmates.
Kanu, who faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, is expected to remain in the Sokoto facility pending further court proceedings. His legal team is reportedly considering the next steps, including the possibility of filing an appeal.
