The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has visited the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The visit was made public on Thursday by former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who praised the cleric for standing in solidarity with the detained IPOB leader.
“Thank you so much, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for taking the time to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today. As the distinguished Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, your visitation symbolizes your solidarity & that of Sokoto Diocese with #MNK in this time of distress,” Sowore said.
Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025, on seven counts bordering on terrorism, including incitement and unlawful broadcasts. Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Following the judgment, Kanu was transferred on November 21, 2025, to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, in line with a court order directing that he should be held in any custodial facility except Kuje Prison, where he was previously detained.
Since his relocation to Sokoto, Kanu’s legal team has filed applications seeking his transfer back to Abuja to enable him properly pursue his appeal. The lawyers argue that the distance hampers access to court records, effective consultation with counsel, and preparation of legal documents.
They have also maintained that Nigeria lacks jurisdiction to prosecute Kanu over broadcasts allegedly made from the United Kingdom, insisting that the trial was rushed and procedurally flawed.
Kanu’s detention has continued to attract high-profile visitors, including Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, who visited him at the custodial centre in late November.
