The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Oji River in Enugu State, Rt Rev Ikechukwu Egbuonu, has shed more light on the condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, following his visit to the Sokoto Correctional Facility. The cleric spoke during an interview with AIT, where he shared Kanu’s concerns regarding his health, legal rights and the challenges of his detention.
According to Bishop Egbuonu, Kanu expressed worry about his heart condition and the medical attention he has been receiving since his transfer to Sokoto. The IPOB leader stated that his health requires consistent monitoring and proper care, which he fears may not be adequately provided in the facility.
In addition to his health worries, Kanu raised alarm over the difficulty of pursuing his legal appeal because of the long distance between Abuja and Sokoto. The Bishop explained that Kanu believes this distance poses a serious obstacle to his defence, especially since he has limited time to file the required documents.
Kanu told the Bishop that he is supposed to be in Abuja to reconcile his case records with the High Court before the appeal can proceed. He stressed that he has only a ninety day window to complete this process. He expressed frustration that no official directive has been issued to allow his temporary transfer to Abuja to carry out this requirement.
Bishop Egbuonu also revealed that Kanu seemed troubled by the restrictions placed on his ability to communicate with his legal team. The cleric said that during the visit, he heard Kanu requesting permission to speak with one of his lawyers about a misunderstanding concerning documents prepared for filing. He said Kanu was unhappy because he felt unable to clarify important legal issues due to limited access to his lawyers.
Despite these challenges, the Bishop stated that Kanu remained calm, focused and composed throughout the visit. He added that although the IPOB leader is worried about his legal timeline, he is not discouraged.
Addressing reports that Kanu had dismissed his lawyers, the Bishop clarified that this claim was incorrect. He explained that Kanu chose to represent himself in court while retaining his legal team as consultants who would continue to guide him. The Bishop emphasised that the lawyers are still actively involved, noting that one of them arrived at the facility while he was present.
The Bishop concluded that Kanu’s concerns highlight the urgent need for authorities to address issues related to his health, legal access and the logistics of his case to ensure fairness and justice.
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