Court refuses Nnamdi Kanu’s motion for transfer from Sokoto Correctional Centre
Court refuses Nnamdi Kanu’s motion for transfer from Sokoto Correctional Centre
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant a motion ex-parte filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, who was convicted on terrorism offences, is seeking “an order compelling the complainant (Federal Government)!and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Alternately, Kanu sought an order transferring him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant (Kanu) to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”
Justice James Omotosho held that Kanu’s application, moved by a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Demdoo Asan, cannot be granted through ex-parte motion.
Justice Omotosho held that the respondents; the Federal Government and NCoS, ought to be put on notice for them to respond appropriately in the interest of justice, before the request could be granted.
Earlier when the matter was called, Asan announced appearance for the Kanu.
Moving the motion, the lawyer said the application sought two prayers.
Justice Omotosho then called the attention of Asan to the Relief One which sought an order “compelling” the Federal Government and NCoS to transfer the convict to a correctional facility that is close to the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge asked the lawyer if he wanted to go by the relief, especially with respect to the word, ‘compel’ used in the motion ex-parte and Asan agreed that Relief One should be struck out.
The judge also asked Asan if the prosecution and the NCoS, where the convict is currently kept, ought to be served or not.
“You are from Legal Aid Council counsel? Do you think it is by ex-parte motion this application ought to be granted, having it in mind that judgment was delivered when the two parties were present?
“Also, among the respondents to obey the order is the correctional service and you think it is through ex-parte motion that the court can make the order for his transfer?
“Don’t you think this application should have come by motion on notice,” the judge asked.
Responding, Asan admitted that the respondents (prosecution and the NCoS) needed to be put on notice before the matter could be decided judiciously.
“My lord, the respondents have the right to be heard. Usually, the court can make an order that they should be put on notice,” the lawyer said.
“So, do you agree that the respondents should be heard and that this application can not be taken now?” Justice Omotosho asked further.
“Yes my lord, they should be heard. We will be applying that the complainant and other parties involved should be put on notice,” Asan applied.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, struck out Relief One in Kanu’s motion and ordered that the prosecution and the NCoS be served for them to respond in the interest of justice.
“A law school student will know that this application cannot be granted ex-parte,” the judge said.
Asan, however, explained to the court that he was on leave when he was called by his superior officer to come and take up Kanu’s matter.
The judge also faulted Kanu’s notice of appeal which was filed before the Nov. 20 judgment.
“Counsel, do you have your notice of appeal?”
Responding, Asan restated that he was only instructed to take up the brief.
The judge then directed the court registrar to show the lawyer the notice of appeal filed by Kanu from the court file upon which the convict based his application.
Justice Omotosho then asked Asan to read out the date the notice of appeal was filed.
“Because you are coming in new as a lawyer and I expect you know the law, what date is that?” the judge asked.
“This notice of appeal is dated 10th of November my lord, that was before the judgment,” Asan responded.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, said based on the judgment delivered on Nov. 20, there was no notice of appeal before him.
The lawyer then said they would do the needful.
The judge consequently adjourned the case until Jan. 27, 2026, to enable the applicant serve the necessary parties and for the application to be taken.
NAN reports that Justice Omotosho had, on Dec. 4, fixed today for hearing of the motion ex-parte after the court declined to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who announced appearance for the IPOB leader inspite of not being a lawyer.
The judge adjourned to enable the applicant engage a lawyer to represent him in court.(NAN)
News
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
News
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
News
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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