The family of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that he will not accept any relocation from the Sokoto Custodial Centre to Abuja unless it is ordered by the Court of Appeal, insisting that his place of incarceration is a central issue in his pending appeal.
In a press statement issued on Friday and signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu family, the family warned supporters and well-wishers against advocating for an extra-judicial transfer, arguing that such a move could undermine the legal strategy currently before the appellate court.
According to the statement, Kanu is appearing (representing himself) before the Court of Appeal and has personally argued several grounds challenging his conviction and life sentence handed down by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The family maintained that the order directing Kanu to serve his life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre forms a significant aspect of the appeal, alleging that it reflects judicial bias and raises concerns about fair hearing.
The statement referenced the November 20, 2025 judgment of Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment. It claimed that comments made in the judgment, alongside the order committing him to the Sokoto prison, are among the issues the defence wants the Court of Appeal to examine.
According to the family, the legal team has relied on several judicial authorities to support its argument that the appearance of bias alone may be sufficient to invalidate judicial proceedings.
The family further disclosed that an earlier application seeking to vary the sentencing order was not determined on its merits after the trial court allegedly declined to allow Kanu to attend the hearing and later struck out the motion.
The statement also revealed that Kanu reportedly rejected a proposal by British consular officials for a possible relocation to Abuja, insisting that any change in his place of custody should come strictly through a lawful court process rather than executive or diplomatic intervention.
The Kanu family urged supporters to refrain from campaigns or public pressure encouraging him to leave Sokoto outside the judicial process, stressing that such actions could weaken one of the key grounds of appeal.
It maintained that the pending appeal should be allowed to run its full course and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would determine the legality of the Sokoto sentencing order.
Reaffirming its position, the family stated that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would leave the Sokoto Custodial Centre only upon a valid court order, adding that he remains committed to pursuing all legal remedies available through the Nigerian judicial system.
