Nnamdi Kanu moved to Sokoto prison, says lawyer Ejimakor

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been transferred from the Department of State Services detention facility in Abuja to a correctional facility in Sokoto, his former lawyer and consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, has disclosed.

In a tweet on Friday, Ejimakor expressed concern over the move, noting that the relocation places Kanu far from his legal team, family, and supporters.

“While urging #Ndigbo to remain calm, I must question the wisdom of sending #MNK to Sokoto prison.

“When Awolowo was convicted in 1963, he was sent to the East, a neutral zone in his feud with the North. Pres. Tinubu can still halt this drift, as I said in this video,” he said.

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The development has not been independently confirmed by as of Friday evening.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 by Nigerian authorities and faced charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and other related offences over his leadership of IPOB, a proscribed separatist group.

After fleeing the country, he was extradited from Kenya in 2021.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja for seven terrorism-related charges, a verdict that IPOB has since rejected as unlawful and politically motivated.

Justice James Omotosho handed him life terms on five of the counts, 20 years on one, and five years on another, all with no option of fine.

The judge noted that placing Kanu in Kuje Correctional Centre might not be appropriate due to the risk of violence, suggesting a need for a more secure facility.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the Federal Government, praised the sentencing, describing it as a strong message that no one is above the law.