Human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has gained significant influence and popularity inside the Sokoto Custodial Centre, describing him as “a celebrity in prison.”
Speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Sowore said the Federal Government would eventually realise it made what he called a “historic blunder” by securing a life sentence against the separatist leader.
According to him, Kanu’s profile within the detention facility has grown sharply since his relocation to Sokoto.
“Nnamdi Kanu is already a celebrity in prison,” Sowore said. “They said he has already become the president of the prison, but I doubt it. It must have been conferred on him out of respect.”
Sowore argued that the attempt to humiliate Kanu had backfired.
“When they were taking him to Sokoto, they thought they would ridicule him. But when they got to Sokoto, he turned the place into another Mecca,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the government would reverse what he described as a grave error.
“Very soon you will see that, on their own, they will reverse the fundamental mistake they have made regarding Kanu,” he added.
Sowore also said he had anticipated the government’s actions.
“I predicted that they would send him to prison, and I predicted that it would be the mistake of their lives,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate criticised the judge who handled the case, Justice James Omotosho, while urging Kanu’s family to allow him facilitate visits to the detainee.
“I want his family members to give me the right to admit people to see him, so that I can tell you the day the judge who sentenced him would go to Sokoto to beg, like Fela was begged — if he has not done so already,” he said.
He further mocked those who, according to him, failed to protest Kanu’s imprisonment but are now eager to visit him in custody.
“The people we asked to protest to prevent Kanu from going to jail are all rushing to Sokoto,” he said.
Sowore accused the government of mishandling the case from the outset.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the treatment meted out to the IPOB leader has only elevated his status among supporters and within the facility.