Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria_
The family of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, says he has chosen to remain at the Sokoto Custodial Centre pending the determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu family, the family said any voluntary relocation from Sokoto to Abuja now could jeopardize Kanu’s legal case.
According to the family, the order that Kanu should serve his life sentence in Sokoto is a core issue in his appeal and must be decided by the court, not through executive or diplomatic intervention.
Kanu was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The family stated that at page 118 of the judgment, the judge said Kanu “hates the North with a passion” and subsequently ordered that he serve his sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre, which the family described as “the seat of the Caliphate, the heart of the geographical North.”
They said Kanu is appearing pro se [representing himself] before the Court of Appeal and argues that the Sokoto sentencing creates a “compelling appearance of bias” — one of 15 grounds of appeal filed.
Citing legal authorities including Kenon v. Tekam and LPDC v. Fawehinmi, the family said the appearance of bias alone can vitiate proceedings, noting that “justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
“The Sokoto sentencing is not a mere administrative detail; it is a substantive ground of appeal. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, appearing pro se, has personally argued these issues and will not allow any course of action that could undermine them,” the statement said.
The family said the statement became necessary amid persistent public and private calls urging Kanu to accept relocation to Abuja outside the judicial process. They warned that voluntarily leaving Sokoto could be interpreted by the prosecution as an abandonment of that ground of appeal.
“We understand the concern; Sokoto is not Abuja. It is distant, unfamiliar, and its symbolism is deeply troubling. But the symbolism is not a problem to be escaped; it is a legal issue to be adjudicated by the Court of Appeal,” the family added.
The family also disclosed that Kanu had previously filed a motion before Justice Omotosho seeking to vary the Sokoto order, but the court declined to hear it on the merits, insisted the Federal Government be put on notice, and later declined to allow Kanu to attend the hearing. The Legal Aid Counsel appointed for him withdrew, and the motion was struck out — an obstruction the family said will also be argued on appeal.
It further claimed that British consular officials had engaged Kanu about a possible intervention to move him to Abuja, which he rejected.
“This is a legal matter for the Nigerian courts, not executive or diplomatic intervention. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, appearing pro se, has made it clear that he will not accept any intervention that bypasses the judicial process,” the statement said.
The family concluded that Kanu will not leave Sokoto without a court order and that the matter is subjudice.
“The Court of Appeal will decide the law. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will obey the law. But he will not allow emotion, social media pressure, or diplomatic interference to dictate his legal strategy,” it said.
Source: The Sun Nigeria –