In a development that is sending ripples across the Nigerian political landscape, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on Thursday had a warm meeting with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A video clip, quickly shared by Sowore on his $\mathbb{X}$ (formerly Twitter) handle, captured the moment the two controversial figures exchanged a cordial hug and greeting.
Sowore captioned the viral video: “Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong! #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”
The impromptu meeting comes just days after Sowore led a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the EndSARS movement. That protest, however, was violently dispersed by police operatives, leading to the arrest and subsequent remand of Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and several others in Kuje Prison.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial is taking a dramatic turn. The IPOB leader, who has been in custody since his 2021 rendition from Kenya, has opted to defend himself as the trial resumed before Justice James Omotosho on Thursday. This decision follows the formal withdrawal of his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), from the case.
The encounter between Sowore and Kanu is being viewed by political observers as a potential alignment of critical anti-establishment voices in Nigeria.
