Fact Check: Did Goodluck Jonathan Visit Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto Prison?
- A Facebook post shared on September 7, 2026, claimed former president Goodluck Jonathan visited jailed IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, drawing over 3,700 reactions
- The viral photograph ignited debate online, with some users accepting it as real while others questioned whether it was AI-generated
- Legit.ng ran the image through two AI-detection tools and searched credible media sources to verify the claim
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Sokoto, Sokoto state - A Facebook user, Ngozika Loveth Eze, shared a photograph on September 7, 2026, claiming to show former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan paying a prison visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Source: Facebook
The caption read in part:
"Breaking news: Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan visits Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This is his word of encouragement to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu…"
Viral Kanu photo ignites mixed reactions online
By Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Facebook post had gathered more than 3,700 reactions, 892 comments, and 749 shares.
The photograph divided opinion in the comments section.
Ben Moris wrote:
"This picture is not AI. MNK, may you live long and be strong. Biafra freedom is a must."
Johnson Anyanwu dismissed those who doubted it:
"Doubting Thomas everywhere, Everything na AI for una okpolo eyes."
However, Goodluck Onyinyechi Anyamele rejected the claim outright, writing, "Fake news everywhere," while Chukwuemeka Onyia accepted it and praised the alleged visit as "quite commendable."
The claim attracted attention because of ongoing public interest in Kanu's detention and legal situation. As of September 2026, Kanu is serving a life sentence and is being held at a correctional facility in Sokoto. His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, has raised concerns about prison conditions, including limits on visits and Kanu's health.
Other Facebook users reshared the post as seen here, here, and here.
Fact check: Scrutiny of claim on Jonathan-Kanu visit
Legit.ng searched credible media platforms for any report confirming that Jonathan had visited Kanu in prison. No such report was found.
What did emerge was a related but separate development: in October 2025, activist Omoyele Sowore said he met Jonathan in Abuja to discuss Kanu's continued detention, and that Jonathan agreed to raise the matter with President Bola Tinubu. No visit to Kanu's prison facility was part of that account.
Legit.ng also found reports that Abia state governor Alex Otti visited Kanu at the Sokoto correctional facility in late 2025, following the life sentence. No similar visit by Jonathan to the facility was reported by government authorities, Jonathan's representatives, Kanu's legal team, or any reputable media organisation.
Source: UGC
On the photograph itself, Legit.ng submitted it to two AI-image detection tools. Hive rated the image as 100 per cent likely to be AI-generated.
A second tool, ZHUQUE, returned an AI probability score of 31.31 per cent.
Source: Facebook
Verdict: Goodluck Jonathan never visited Nnamdi Kanu
The claim that former president Jonathan visited IPOB's Kanu in prison is false.
Neither the viral photograph nor the accompanying caption provides credible evidence that such a visit took place.
Read more on Nnamdi Kanu
- Nnamdi Kanu to remain in custody as NMA fails to meet deadline
- Southeast Governor mentions when Tinubu may release Nnamdi Kanu
- Enugu Governor Mbah mentions how to secure Nnamdi Kanu's fast release after joining APC
Tinubu urged to free Nnamdi Kanu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, called on President Tinubu and the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation leader argued that the IPOB leader had stayed in detention for too long.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
