The Nigerian government has transferred the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja to a correctional facility in Sokoto State.
The development was confirmed on Friday by Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, who announced the move in a post on X.
Ejimakor wrote: “Breaking: MAZI NNAMDI KANU has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility (prison) in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and well-wishers.”
Kanu’s transfer comes barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment on terrorism charges—a decision his lawyers have strongly condemned.
Kanu’s legal team described the ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho as “a travesty of justice.” Speaking to journalists, Ejimakor said the judgment was based solely on statements Kanu made, not on any act of violence.
He said:
“Today is the only day I have witnessed a man being convicted for what he said with his mouth, not what he did with his hands.”
Ejimakor argued that prosecutors failed to link Kanu’s broadcasts to any act of violence, insisting that advocating self-determination is not a crime. He vowed to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, adding that the team would go to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Another member of the defence team, Barrister Maxwell Okpara, criticised the decision, saying it was driven by emotion rather than law. He urged residents of the South-East to remain calm and avoid violence while the legal team pursues the appeal.
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