TDThe family of Nnamdi Kanu has urged supporters and other well-meaning individuals to refrain from advocating his relocation from the Sokoto Custodial Centre to Abuja outside the judicial process.
The family argued that such a move could undermine his pending appeal before the Court of Appeal.
It made the appeal in a press statement issued on Friday and signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu Family.
The family maintained that Kanu would only leave the Sokoto facility on the strength of a valid court order.
Family Says Sokoto Sentence Is Central to Appeal
According to the statement, Kanu is representing himself (appearing pro se) in the appeal challenging his conviction and life sentence handed down by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 20 November 2025.
The family said the order directing that he serve his sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre forms a key ground of appeal.
It argued that the sentencing order, together with comments allegedly made by the trial judge in the judgment, raises questions of judicial bias and fair hearing that are now before the Court of Appeal.
The statement added that Kanu’s legal team considers the Sokoto sentencing “a substantive ground of appeal” rather than a routine administrative decision.
Appeal Should Run Its Full Course
The family warned that any voluntary relocation outside the court process could be interpreted as abandoning one of the issues already raised before the appellate court.
It said Kanu had personally prepared and argued several grounds of appeal and would not accept any action capable of weakening his legal position.
The statement further stressed that the matter is sub judice and should be determined solely by the Court of Appeal.
Family References Previous Court Proceedings
The Okwu-Kanu Family also stated that Kanu previously sought to challenge the Sokoto custody order before the trial court through an application to vary or rescind the sentencing directive.
According to the statement, the motion was eventually struck out after procedural developments, including the appointment of Legal Aid counsel and Kanu’s absence from the hearing.
The family contended that those circumstances would also form part of the issues on appeal.
Rejects Executive or Diplomatic Intervention
The statement further claimed that British consular officials had discussed the possibility of relocating Kanu to Abuja but that he declined the proposed intervention.
The family argued that any change to his place of detention should come through the courts rather than executive or diplomatic channels.
It insisted that the pending appeal should be allowed to proceed without interference.
Appeal for Supporters to Respect Legal Strategy
While acknowledging concerns over Kanu’s detention in Sokoto, the family appealed to supporters to avoid public campaigns or advocacy that could affect the ongoing appeal.
It maintained that Kanu would comply with any lawful order of the Court of Appeal but would not voluntarily leave the Sokoto Custodial Centre without judicial authorisation.
The statement concluded that the Court of Appeal remains the proper forum to determine the legality of the sentencing order and other issues raised in the appeal.
