Nnamdi Kanu Moved to Sokoto Prison to Serve Life Sentence Amid Heightened Security
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility in Abuja to a custodial centre in Sokoto State, according to his legal team.
The development marks a significant shift in his detention arrangement following his recent conviction by a Federal High Court.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed the transfer on Friday, stating that the relocation was carried out discreetly and without prior notification to his lawyers or relatives.
He expressed concern that the move places Kanu farther away from essential legal support, given the considerable distance between Sokoto and the defence team’s operational base in the South-East.
The decision to relocate Kanu comes days after the court found him guilty of terrorism-related charges and handed down a life sentence.
The judgment has sparked intense debate across the country, with various political and civil society groups expressing divergent views on both the trial and the broader implications for national cohesion.
Family members and supporters have raised questions surrounding the manner of the transfer, describing it as abrupt and potentially disruptive to Kanu’s legal processes.
They argue that moving a high-profile detainee without adequate communication creates room for suspicion and may further heighten tensions in the South-East, where Kanu commands a strong following.
Security sources, however, suggest that the transfer aligns with standard procedures for high-risk inmates after conviction.
According to sources familiar with the matter, authorities may have opted for Sokoto to ensure tighter security control and reduce the likelihood of unrest or interference with detention operations.
Legal analysts note that while inmate transfers are within the government’s prerogative, authorities must ensure that such actions do not hinder an inmate’s right to proper legal representation. There is growing concern that the increased distance between Kanu and his lawyers could pose challenges as the defence prepares post-conviction applications and possible appeals.
Meanwhile, calm has been urged across the South-East as community leaders caution against actions that may lead to violence. Observers say the coming days will be crucial as the defence seeks clarifications from security agencies and explores options to secure unhindered access to their client.
