One of the lawyers representing the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Dr. Maxwell Opara, says the separatist leader remains in “high spirits” despite his recent transfer to the Sokoto Correctional Centre and his life sentence handed down last week.
Opara disclosed this on Sunday after visiting Kanu, who was moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja to the Sokoto Correctional Centre following his conviction by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
According to the lawyer, he visited Kanu in the company of four associates and found him mentally strong and already focused on the next legal step — filing an appeal.
Opara said Kanu was “in high spirits” and actively preparing his appeal at the Court of Appeal. He noted, however, that the decision to transfer Kanu to Sokoto has raised concerns, especially given the urgency of filing the appeal at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
He added that efforts were underway to return Kanu to Abuja to enable him prepare adequately for the appeal against his conviction by Justice Omotosho.
Speaking to reporters, Opara said:
“As I speak to you, he is preparing his appeal personally. We are exploring ways to bring him back to Abuja so he can file it because time is running out.
“We just met with him, and although he is in good spirits, the urgency of filing the appeal cannot be overstated.”
Kanu was prosecuted by the Federal Government on a seven-count charge, mostly bordering on terrorism, and was found guilty on all counts. He received a life sentence plus an additional 25 years.
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