The Abuja Federal High Court has reportedly refused to issue a warrant to authorize the transfer of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu from Sokoto Prison to Abuja for a scheduled settlement of records for his appeal, according to Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel.

The settlement of records at the Federal High Court registry is a crucial step in the procedure for filing appeals at the Court of Appeal. Prince Emmanuel told DAILY POST that the court declined to issue a production warrant, which is required to transport Kanu for the November 28, 2025, appointment.

In a message shared with DAILY POST, Prince Emmanuel said:

“This is 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 required for the Sokoto Prison to transport him to Abuja, but the Court declined to issue it.”

The summons, dated November 11, 2025, and signed by Ojonugwa Thomas, Principal Registrar 1, directed Kanu to appear at the Appeal Section of the Federal High Court Headquarters in Abuja at 11:00 am on November 28. The appeal, filed under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2025, is between Nnamdi Kanu (appellant) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (respondent).

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, following his conviction on terrorism charges by an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho. He is currently serving his sentence at Sokoto Prison.

The refusal to issue the warrant has raised concerns over the appeal process and procedural compliance in Kanu’s case, as the next step in his legal challenge cannot proceed without his presence for record settlement.