Court Declined Warrant to Bring Nnamdi Kanu to Abuja for Appeal Record Session, Brother Claims

Nnamdi Kanu’s family has accused the Abuja Federal High Court of refusing to issue the mandatory production warrant that would have allowed prison authorities in Sokoto to transport the IPOB leader to Abuja for his scheduled settlement of appeal records.

According to his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the court had summoned the detained IPOB leader to appear on 28 November for the formal settlement of records — a procedural step required before transmitting his appeal to the Court of Appeal. Without a production warrant, however, Sokoto Prison officials cannot legally transport him.

“I have the summons issued by the registrar directing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to appear on November 28 for the settlement of records,” Emmanuel told DAILY POST, alongside a forwarded message stating: “A production warrant is required for the Sokoto Prison to transport him to Abuja, but the Court declined to issue it.”

The summons, dated 11 November and signed by Principal Registrar I, Ojonugwa Thomas, instructed all parties to appear at the Federal High Court Headquarters in Abuja at 11:00 am for the appeal record process, in compliance with Order 8 Rule 2 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021.

The appeal — referenced as FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2025 — is between Nnamdi Kanu as appellant and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as respondent.

Kanu, who was convicted on terrorism charges on 20 November and handed a life sentence by Justice James Omotosho, is currently serving his sentence at the Sokoto Prison.

His family insists the refusal to issue the warrant undermines his right to pursue an appeal, calling for clarity from judicial authorities on why the order was withheld.