By Crystal Ugoeze
The Federal Government has been accused of creating a fresh barrier to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s planned appeal following his sudden transfer from Abuja to the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Speaking after a visit to the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, one of Kanu’s lawyers, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, said the legal team was informed that the IPOB leader was no longer in the agency’s custody.
Ejiofor, who was accompanied by fellow lawyers Maxwell Opara, PhD, and Ms. Ijeoma Esquire, said the DSS Director of Operations disclosed that Kanu had been moved to a “safe correctional facility” in Sokoto State.
He explained that the development complicates their efforts to file crucial documents at the Abuja Court of Appeal, especially those connected to the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
“Moving him to Sokoto presents a major impediment to filing the necessary appeal processes,” Ejiofor said. “He needed to sign and approve some documents in Abuja, but with this unexpected transfer, that may no longer be possible.”
Despite the setback, Ejiofor noted that the authorities assured them that Kanu is safe where he is being held. He added that the legal team is hopeful that he will eventually be returned to Abuja to properly pursue his appeal.
“By the special grace of God, we expect to file the appeal next week,” he said.