Olayiwola Matthew
The Department of State Services (DSS) has transferred the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to the Nigerian Custodial Centre in Sokoto.
The development comes after his conviction and sentencing for terrorism.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja stated that the secret police had the authority to move Kanu to any correctional facility in the country.
On Friday, Kanu’s legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the relocation.
He wrote: “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 well-wishers.”
Justice Omotosho had earlier convicted and sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on a seven-count charge of terrorism.
The judge upheld DSS allegations that Kanu deployed acts of terrorism in his agitation for the secession of the South-East, South-South, and some parts of Benue and Kogi from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Following the conviction, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) urged the court to impose the maximum death penalty provided in three of the seven counts, arguing that the court had no discretion on those charges.
He also asked the court to order the closure of Kanu’s digital media devices and accounts.
Furthermore, he submitted that the court should “direct for the safety and security of the defendant should be kept in the safest custodial centre anywhere in Nigeria until the execution of the sentence to avoid distraction from his friends and enemies – who may want to eliminate him if given the opportunity.”