With the conviction and transfer of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to a correctional facility in Sokoto State, his defense team has begun efforts not only to repeal the judgment, but first to bring him back to Abuja.
On Thursday, Justice Omotosho convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment having found him guilty on all seven count charges preferred against him by the prosecution.
But reacting during a Channels Television’s The Morning Brief interview Kanu’s special counsel Aloy Ejimakor, condemned the transfer, insisting that the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction over the case.
“Placing him in Sokoto is not the judge’s fault. Once someone is sentenced, it becomes the responsibility of the executive branch, particularly the Correctional Service. That decision perhaps did not consider these concerns. It is very insensitive to his rights. Prisoners still have rights,” Ejimakor said.
The lawyer expressed concern that Kanu’s transfer to Sokoto would hinder his ability to file and prosecute an appeal.
He explained that initiating the appeal required Kanu to file a notice of appeal, request and pay for transcripts, and review documents — tasks requiring his direct involvement unless he chose to hire a lawyer.
“Up to this point, he has not indicated that he is going to hire any lawyer or inform anybody,” Ejimakor noted.
He added that keeping Kanu in Abuja would have ensured proximity to his relatives and legal team. Ejimakor described the move as evidence of “the desperation of the system towards him.”
Kanu’s legal team has vowed to challenge the verdict, describing the sentence as excessive.
Ejimakor confirmed the relocation to Sokoto in a post on his X handle, criticizing the move for placing Kanu far away from his legal counsel, relatives, and supporters.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. He fled Nigeria in 2017 after a military raid on his home, renditioned back to Nigerian from Kenya in 2021, and has since been in court in one of Nigeria’s most celebrated geopolitically charged trials.
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