The Federal Government on Friday transferred the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja to a correctional centre in Sokoto State.
The development was confirmed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who disclosed the information in a post on X.
“Breaking: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and well-wishers,” he wrote.
The transfer followed Thursday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which convicted and sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on terrorism charges. His legal team has rejected the ruling, describing it as “a travesty of justice.”
Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Ejimakor said the conviction marked “a dark day in Nigeria’s judicial history.”
“Today is the only day I have seen a man convicted for what he said, not what he did,” he said, arguing that the prosecution failed to link Kanu’s broadcasts to any act of violence.
He further described the sentence as “overbroad, cruel and unusual,” insisting that Kanu’s calls for self-determination do not amount to a criminal offence.
“You convict him for terrorism for mere words. What kind of precedent is being set?” he asked.
Ejimakor said the defence team would immediately file an appeal, expressing confidence that higher courts would overturn the ruling.
“We are heading to the Court of Appeal. If necessary, we will continue to the Supreme Court. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will not stand convicted,” he vowed.
Another member of the defence team, Barrister Maxwell Okpara, also criticised the judgment, alleging that it was influenced by “anger rather than law.” He appealed for calm across the South-East, urging supporters to avoid violence as the legal battle progresses.
