In September 2025, a video showing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu walking out of a building and being cheered by a crowd went viral on WhatsApp, with captions claiming he had been granted a presidential pardon and released from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody. The news led to sporadic celebrations in some parts of the Southeast.
Fact checkers have confirmed that Nnamdi Kanu remains in custody. A federal court sentenced him to life imprisonment on seven terrorism-related charges earlier in 2025, and no pardon has been issued. The viral video was found to be from 2017, when he was released on bail from Kuje Prison. The footage was cleverly edited to remove any visual markers of the year.
The Attorney General’s office has urged the public to disregard the video, stating that official legal developments are communicated through the Ministry of Justice and the courts. This incident highlights the recurring use of “recycled content” to stir emotions and potential civil unrest. The public is advised to verify such high-profile news through major national news outlets.
