One of the lawyers of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has shared fresh updates after meeting him at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, days after his life sentence was handed down.
Visit to Sokoto Prison
Maxwell Opara, a member of Kanu’s legal team, visited the detained IPOB leader on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
He arrived with four associates to assess Kanu’s condition and discuss the next steps following the court judgment.
Kanu Said To Be in Good Spirits
Speaking after the visit, Opara said Kanu remained positive despite the situation.
According to him, the convicted separatist leader showed no signs of discouragement and was focused on the legal battle ahead.
“We just met with him, and he is in good spirits,” Opara said, noting that the team met him at the facility and held detailed discussions.
Life Sentence and Protective Custody
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday, November 20, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The judge also ordered that he be kept in protective custody following his conviction on terrorism-related charges.
Concerns Over Transfer to Sokoto
Opara questioned the decision to move Kanu to a prison in Sokoto, saying it complicates the appeal process since the case was decided in Abuja.
“On what basis was he brought to Sokoto? His appeal is in Abuja. The judgment was delivered on Thursday, and now Friday, Saturday, and Sunday have passed with no progress. This is very unfortunate,” he said.
Efforts to File Appeal Before Deadline
According to Opara, Kanu is already preparing his appeal personally, but the distance from Abuja poses delays the legal team is trying to fix.
“We are exploring ways to bring him back to Abuja so he can file it, because time is running out,” he stated.
Documents Retrieved After Visit
Witnesses observed Opara and his team leaving the correctional facility with several bulky documents believed to be related to the appeal process.