The family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has raised concerns after an Abuja court reportedly refused to issue a Production Warrant that would have allowed the Sokoto Correctional Facility to transport him to the Federal Capital Territory on Friday to complete documentation for his appeal.
Emma Kanu, the family’s spokesperson and younger brother of the detained IPOB leader, revealed in a phone conversation with our correspondent on Thursday morning that the Abuja High Court had issued “a summons to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to appear on November 28 at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the settlement of records regarding the appeal he filed prior to the November 20 judgment.”
A Production Warrant is a compulsory court order enabling prison authorities to present an inmate in court.
According to Emma, “a production warrant is required for the Sokoto Prison to transport him (Nnamdi Kanu) to Abuja, but the Court declined to issue it.”
A summons sighted referenced Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2025 between Nnamdi Kanu and the Federal Government, with the Principal Registrar I of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Ojonugwa Thomas, instructing the parties “to settle record (in compliance with Order and Rule 2 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021).”
The summons further directed that “all parties concerned are required to attend before me at the Appeal Section of the Federal High Court Headquarters, Plot 1048 (710) Cadastral Zone A100, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, on the 28th day of November 2025 at the hour of 11:00 a.m. to proceed with settlement of the Record of Appeal therein.”
Notifications were also sent to the DSS Detention Facility at its Abuja headquarters and to the Federal Government’s legal representatives.
Emma Kanu urged the judiciary to grant the Production Warrant so that his brother can be physically present in Abuja for the scheduled legal process.
According to previous reports, Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for terrorism-related charges by an Abuja High Court on November 20, before being transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling, imposing life sentences on counts one, two, four, five, and six, preferring them over the death penalty. He additionally imposed a 20-year sentence on count three with no option of fine, and a five-year sentence on count seven, also without an option of fine.
The charges against Kanu stem from accusations of terrorism, secessionist activities, membership of a proscribed organisation, killing security personnel, destroying public infrastructure, concealment, and importing an unregistered radio transmitter.
Advertisement
