Kanu Voices Health, Legal Fears During Cleric’s Visit To Sokoto Prison

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed fresh concerns about his health and legal rights during a pastoral visit by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Oji River, Rt. Rev. Ikechukwu Egbuonu, at the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

Speaking in an interview with AIT, Bishop Egbuonu said Kanu raised alarm over his heart condition and the difficulties posed by the long distance between Abuja and Sokoto as he prepares to file his appeal.

According to the cleric, the IPOB leader stressed that the location of his detention could hinder his chances of properly pursuing his case, noting that he has just 90 days to submit the necessary filings.

“Kanu told me he is supposed to be in Abuja to reconcile his record with the High Court before filing the appeal,” the Bishop said. “He was not happy that no directive had been issued to bring him to Abuja for this process.”

The Bishop added that Kanu also lamented his inability to communicate freely with his legal team. He overheard the IPOB leader asking prison officials for an opportunity to speak with his lawyer over what appeared to be a misunderstanding regarding some documents filed on his behalf.

“He’s feeling bad about not being able to speak to his lawyers,” Bishop Egbuonu noted.

The visit, however, did not depict Kanu as distressed. The cleric said he met him calm and composed despite the challenges he outlined.

Addressing reports that Kanu had dismissed his legal team, Bishop Egbuonu clarified that no such rift existed. Instead, he said the IPOB leader opted to represent himself while retaining his lawyers as consultants.

“No, he didn’t sack his lawyers,” the Bishop explained. “He decided to defend himself in this case and engage the lawyers as advisers. In fact, one of them came in with me during the visit.”