The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Matthew Kukah on Thursday visited the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Mr Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, disclosed the visit in a post on his official Facebook page.
He said the meeting was cordial and included prayers.
“Their conversations were mostly filled with laughter and extreme joy. He prayed alongside his team of faithfuls,” Emmanuel said.
Former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, also confirmed the visit and commended Kukah for the gesture.
“Thank you so much, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for taking the time to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today. As the distinguished Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, your visitation symbolizes your solidarity & that of Sokoto Diocese with #MNK in this time of distress,” Sowore said.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20 after being convicted on seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all counts, which included incitement and unlawful broadcasts.
Following the judgement, Kanu was transferred to the Sokoto Custodial Centre on November 21, in line with a court order that excluded his detention at Kuje Prison, where he had previously been held.
His detention in Sokoto has drawn criticism from activists and lawyers.
His legal team has filed motions seeking his transfer back to Abuja, arguing that the distance affects his ability to prepare his appeal, access court records and meet with his lawyers.
The defence has also questioned Nigeria’s jurisdiction over broadcasts made in the United Kingdom, describing the trial as rushed and flawed.
The court, however, ordered that Kanu be held in any correctional facility except Kuje Prison.
In late November, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu were among other prominent figures who visited Nnamdi Kanu at the correctional centre.
