Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has raised serious concerns after a Federal High Court in Abuja declined to issue a production warrant necessary to ensure Kanu’s presence in court for the settlement of appeal records.

The appeal relates to a case Kanu filed prior to his conviction and life imprisonment sentence on November 20, 2025. According to Ejimakor, the court had summoned Kanu to appear on November 28, 2025, for the settlement of records in connection with that appeal.

Ejimakor shared the summons on his X (formerly Twitter) account, noting:

“This is a Summons to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be present on November 28 at Federal High Court in Abuja for settlement of record for the appeal he filed before the November 20 judgment. A production warrant is required for the Sokoto Prison to bring him to Abuja but the Court refused to issue it.”

He expressed shock that despite the summons, the court refused to grant the mandatory production warrant, which authorizes prison authorities to transport an inmate from detention to the courtroom. Without it, Kanu cannot physically attend the proceedings, potentially undermining his right to a fair hearing.

Ejimakor had previously warned that Kanu’s transfer to Sokoto Prison, hundreds of kilometres from Abuja, could severely impede his ability to file and pursue an appeal. Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on November 24, he emphasized that Kanu’s constitutional rights under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution were at risk due to restricted access to legal counsel and the court.

He argued that closer facilities, such as Suleja or Keffi, would have better preserved Kanu’s access to legal representation and family support, ensuring he could meet strict procedural requirements.

Kanu, who was convicted on seven terrorism-related counts by Justice James Omotosho, had been held in DSS custody since June 2021 following his controversial arrest and extradition from Kenya. His detention and trial were marked by multiple disruptions and legal disputes.

Notably, in October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu of all charges, ruling that his extraordinary rendition was unlawful. The Nigerian government appealed, securing a stay that kept him in custody.

Ejimakor’s concerns highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring that Kanu can meaningfully exercise his right to appeal while imprisoned far from the relevant courts.