Family Says Court Declined Order to Produce Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja

Relatives Raise Alarm Over Appeal Process

The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, says an Abuja court has refused to issue the production warrant needed to bring him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to the Federal Capital Territory for his appeal process.

Kanu’s younger brother, Emma Kanu, told Punch Online on Thursday that the court only issued a summons directing Kanu to appear on November 28 for the settlement of records in his appeal, but did not give the mandatory production order needed for prison officials to transport him.

A production warrant is a court order that authorizes prison authorities to bring an inmate from custody to court.

Emma explained that without the warrant, the Sokoto prison cannot move Kanu to Abuja. He urged the judiciary to intervene immediately so Kanu can be physically present for the procedures tied to his appeal.

A summons issued by the Federal High Court Principal Registrar, Ojonugwa Thomas, and sighted by Punch, referenced Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2025 between Nnamdi Kanu and the Federal Government. It directs all parties to meet at the Appeal Section of the Federal High Court headquarters on November 28 at 11:00 a.m. for the settlement of records in line with the Court of Appeal Rules.

The summons was also sent to the DSS Detention Facility in Abuja and to the Federal Government through its counsel.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Faults Court Verdict, Alleges Constitutional Breaches

Kanu is currently serving a life sentence after he was convicted on November 20 by Justice James Omotosho on multiple counts related to terrorism, secessionist activities, killing of security operatives, membership of a proscribed group, destruction of public property, and the importation of an unregistered radio transmitter.

The court handed him life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six. He also received a 20-year sentence on count three and a five-year sentence on count seven, all without the option of a fine. He was later transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

The family insists that denying the production warrant threatens Kanu’s right to fair hearing and may disrupt the appeal process. They are calling on the authorities to ensure he is brought to Abuja so he can properly take part in the proceedings.