Court Refusal Stalls Kanu Appeal Process

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to issue the order needed to bring Nnamdi Kanu to court for the settlement of records in his pending appeal, prompting fresh concerns from his legal team.

The IPOB leader, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, was summoned to appear before the court on November 28, but the warrant required to move him from Sokoto prison was not granted.

His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, said he was alarmed that the court issued a summons yet refused the production warrant that would allow prison authorities to present Kanu in court. He warned that the decision blocks Kanu from being physically present and risks undermining his right to a fair hearing.

Ejimakor argued that Kanu’s transfer to a facility hundreds of kilometres away from Abuja has created fresh obstacles for his appeal. He said the appeal process demands steady communication with lawyers and easy access to the court, which is impossible from Sokoto.

He noted that Kanu was moved out of Abuja shortly after his sentencing, leaving the legal community shocked. He said correctional centres in Suleja or Keffi would have provided easier access to legal support and family.

Kanu’s conviction on seven terrorism charges came after years of legal battles, disruptions in court, and disputes over his detention. Before the judgment, he had been held by the Department of State Services since June 2021, following his arrest and return from Kenya in a manner condemned by human rights groups.

He was previously discharged by the Court of Appeal in 2022, but a government appeal and stay of execution kept him in custody. Ejimakor said the current situation threatens his client’s ability to pursue lawful remedies and called for urgent steps to ensure his rights are protected.