The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has paid a visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The visit was made public on Thursday by former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who praised the cleric for what he described as a powerful gesture of compassion and solidarity.
Expressing appreciation, Sowore said the bishop’s presence at the custodial centre reflected not only his personal concern but also the moral support of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese for Kanu during what he called a difficult period.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025. The court found him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government, including allegations of incitement and unlawful radio broadcasts.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, handed down the life sentence and ordered that Kanu be remanded in a correctional facility outside the Kuje Custodial Centre, where he had previously been held. Acting on the directive, authorities transferred Kanu to the Sokoto Custodial Centre on November 21, 2025.
Since his relocation, Kanu’s legal team has filed several applications seeking his return to Abuja, arguing that his detention in Sokoto poses serious challenges to the preparation of his appeal.
According to the defence, the distance restricts access to court documents, limits consultations with lawyers, and undermines his right to adequate legal representation.
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The defence has also maintained that the Nigerian courts lack jurisdiction over some of the charges, particularly those related to broadcasts allegedly made while Kanu was outside the country. They have further criticized the trial process, describing it as hurried and procedurally flawed.
Despite the controversy surrounding his conviction and detention, Kanu has continued to receive visits from prominent individuals. Towards the end of November, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu were among notable figures who also visited him at the Sokoto facility.
