Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of AAC, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday, caused a stir at the Federal High Court in Abuja when he met with the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, offering words of encouragement and solidarity amid Kanu’s ongoing trial.
In a viral video from the courtroom, which was cited by First Daily correspondent, Sowore and Kanu were seen sharing a warm embrace.
“Mazi, you will be out!” Sowore told him, to which Kanu responded with a smile, shaking him tightly and saying, “Good to see you.”
The exchange came just weeks after Sowore publicly renewed his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, describing his prolonged detention as unjust and politically motivated. Sowore had also organised a protest demanding Kanu’s freedom on Monday, aligning his position with rights groups calling for adherence to court rulings on Kanu’s case.
Recall that on Monday, October 20, 2025, Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, witnessed roadblocks, traffic congestion on major highways as security operatives tried to monitor movements into the city’s central area.
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There were also reports of teargas and gunshots by security operatives against the protesters.
The Thursday court session took a dramatic turn as Nnamdi Kanu announced he would henceforth defend himself following the withdrawal of his legal team, saying he needed no lawyer when the presiding judge asked if the state should get him one.
Kanu, who has been in detention since his re-arrest in 2021, faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and incitement.
His legal ordeal has drawn both local and international attention, with rights advocates consistently urging the government to ensure fair trial and due process.