Prominent activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has shared insights into the current status of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, revealing that the separatist figure has effectively become a “celebrity” inside the Sokoto Custodial Centre. Sowore, known for his outspoken advocacy on political and human rights issues, provided detailed commentary on Kanu’s life behind bars and the unexpected influence he has garnered among fellow inmates.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Sowore expressed strong opinions about the Federal Government’s decision to sentence Kanu to life imprisonment. He described the ruling as a significant misstep, predicting that authorities will eventually have to acknowledge their error and take corrective measures. According to Sowore, Kanu’s current position within the prison reflects both respect and admiration from fellow detainees, which has further elevated his status as a notable figure even while incarcerated.
Sowore elaborated that the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, would eventually have to apologize to Kanu, whom he described as a victim of a grave miscarriage of justice. He emphasized that despite years of detention over multiple charges tied to his pro-Biafra activism, Kanu has maintained influence and respect among inmates, turning what was expected to be a humiliating experience into an elevation of his status. Sowore’s statements underscored his belief that Kanu’s imprisonment has inadvertently strengthened his public image and political significance.
In his own words, Sowore said: “Nnamdi Kanu is already a celebrity in prison. They said he has already become the president of the prison but I doubt, it must have been conferred on him just by respect. Very soon you will see that on their own they would reverse the fundamental mistake they are very made regarding Kanu. I predicted that they would send him to prison and I predicted that it would be the mistake of their lives.”
He further added that there is growing public interest and concern surrounding Kanu’s incarceration. “The people we asked to protest to prevent Kanu from going to jail are all rushing to Sokoto. I want his family members to give me the right to admit people to see him, so that I would tell you the day the judge who sentenced him would go to Sokoto to beg like Fela was begged for doing what is wrong, if he has not done that already.”
Sowore went on to describe Kanu’s arrival in Sokoto as transformative, noting that authorities had expected to diminish his reputation, but instead, Kanu quickly became a highly respected figure among inmates. “When they were taking him to Sokoto, they thought that they would ridicule him and when they got to Sokoto, he turned Sokoto into another Mecca. They don’t have sense or people who can reason in government. Look at where we are, you jailed Kanu and he’s now a celebrity in prison,” Sowore said emphatically.
The activist’s statements highlight the unexpected consequences of Kanu’s imprisonment, signaling both his enduring influence and the potential political ramifications for the Federal Government. His account has reignited discussions about Kanu’s detention, the fairness of his trial, and the growing support he continues to enjoy among Nigerians and fellow prisoners alike.