DSS Moves Nnamdi Kanu To Sokoto Custodial Centre, As Wife Berates Those Publicizing His Movement

A file photo of Nnamdi Kanu in court.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has moved the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to the Nigerian Custodial Centre in Sokoto.

This is in conformity with the ruling of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who had directed that Kanu be kept in protective custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service out of Abuja.

A source within the service said his movement followed his conviction and sentencing for terrorism.

Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja had said the secret police should move Kanu to any correctional facility within the country apart from Kuje in Abuja.

Justice Omotosho had convicted and sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on a seven-count charge of terrorism.

The judge upheld the allegations of the DSS that Kanu employed terrorism in his agitation, calling for the secession of South-Eastern, South South states, and some parts of Benue and Kogi from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kanu’s former lawyer and consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, also confirmed Kanu’s movement to Sokoto in a statement on his X handle on Friday.

Breaking: MAZI NNAMDI KANU has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility (prison) in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and wellwishers. pic.twitter.com/0nsZPMFopk
— aloy ejimakor (@AloyEjimakor) November 21, 2025.

Ejimakor expressed concern over the move, noting that the relocation places Kanu far from his legal team, family, and supporters.

“While urging #Ndigbo to remain calm, I must question the wisdom of sending #MNK to Sokoto prison.

“When Awolowo was convicted in 1963, he was sent to the East, a neutral zone in his feud with the North. Pres. Tinubu can still halt this drift, as I said in this video,” he said.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 by Nigerian authorities and faced charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and other related offences over his leadership of IPOB, a proscribed separatist group.

After fleeing the country, he was extradited from Kenya in 2021.

His movement to Sokoto and subsequent publicity of his transfer has however, elicited the anger of Kanu’s wife, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, who queried why those who went to see her husband didn’t contact her before rushing to publicize it.

She posted on her X handle “Information reaching me about 3 hours ago is that my husband has arrived in Sokoto prison.

“Those who went to see him today did not give me any update on his transfer.
Rather, they ran to social media to broadcast it.

“If you all do not sit up and behave in a civilised and professional manner, I will stress you with my ‘stress’ and I promise you, you will be stressed.

“Enough of your theatrics!
Be warned!”