Sule Lamido might be imprisoned but his popularity has soared barely 3 days after he was thrown behind bars at the Kano Central Prison, Kurmawa, over money laundering charges.
Sule Lamido
Jailed former Governor, Sule Lamido, might yet be the most famous Prisoner in Nigerian history.
Reports say the number of visitors who come daily to pay the former governor solidarity visits has made him the focal point in Kurmawa.
Sule Lamido, along with his two sons, and one Alhaji Aminu Wada Abubakar, were arraigned by the EFCC on Thursday, July 9, over a 28-count charge of money diversion totalling N1.3 billion.
Justice Evylene Anyadeke of the Federal High Court in Kano, remanded him in prison, pending consideration of his bail application and suspended the hearing till September 28.
Sources revealed on Sunday, July 12, that the former governor played host to various friends, well-wishers and political associates who crowded the prison.
Blueprint learnt from reliable sources that several nationally renowned political figures went to his detention facility to pay him homage.
His visitors described him as, “politically gallant and one who has never been easily rattled in the face of his political travails.”
Several former commissioners, special advisers, special assistants and Peoples Democratic Party stalwarts were seen at the prison as they went to sympathise with the man they described as “a genuine political mentor.”
It was also revealed that Lamido adopted a simple procedure of meeting with the people after seeking permission from prison officials, who painstakingly screened his visitors by compiling a list of names and giving it to him for proper identification.
Lamido’s visitors prayed for him, telling him that with constant prayers he would overcome his travails.
It is believed in some political quarters that Lamido’s bail application will be approved this week.
Earlier, Lamido said he is being persecuted by those who are threatened by his political profile because they are worried that they won’t actualise their presidential ambition with him around the political terrain.