By Joy Yesufu and Kamsi Anayo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has transferred the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Sokoto State.
The transfer comes less than 24 hours after Kanu was convicted and sentenced for terrorism by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The judgment was the climax of the IPOB leader’s trial,which began, for the second time in 2021, after his rendition from Kenya.
Throughout his trial,Kanu was kept in the custody of the DSS.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment on Thursday, ruled that the DSS was at liberty to move Kanu to any custodial centre in the country.
He subsequently found the IPOB leader guilty on a seven-count charge of terrorism and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The judge upheld the prosecution’s claims that Kanu employed acts of terrorism in pursuit of his separatist agitation in parts of the South-East, South-South, and sections of Benue and Kogi states.
Confirming the transfer on Friday, Kanu’s legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, said his client had been moved far from his legal team and family.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and well-wishers,” Ejimakor wrote.
Aldi, Kanu’s movement to the Sokoto custodial centre was contained in a statement from the media office of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly Hon Obinna Aguocha, on Friday
While calling for prayers for the IPOB leader, Aguocha also sued for calm among his supporters.
During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), had urged the court to impose the stiffest penalties prescribed under three of the charges, arguing that the court had no discretion regarding them. He also prayed for the closure of Kanu’s digital media accounts and devices.
Awomolo further requested that Kanu be held in the “safest custodial centre anywhere in Nigeria” to prevent possible interference or threats from both supporters and adversaries.
