Court Sentences IPOB Leader, Kanu to Life Imprisonment

By Our Reporter

A Federal High, Abuja has sentenced embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the sentence he considered ‘merciful’ after convicting Kanu on the seven counts advanced by the prosecution.

Omotosho, had towed the path of mercy, despite a request by the Federal Government, which earlier that Kanu should be sentenced to death.

FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, made the application shortly after the court found Kanu guilty on all the seven-count terrorism charges that were preferred against him.

The prosecution insisted that Kanu’s incitement led to the death of several security operatives and the destruction of public infrastructure, alleging that both the IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which he identified as its armed wing, took steps to destabilize the country.

He maintained that imposing the maximum sentence on the defendant was the only way to give justice to victims of Kanu’s terrorist acts.

According to him, whereas the counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the charge prescribed the death sentence, count 3 attracts 20 years imprisonment, while the punishment for the offence in count 7 is five years jail term.

“My lord should consider the nature and gravity of acts of terrorism committed by the convict which were against innocent Nigerians that reside in the South East,” he added.

Besides, Awomolo, SAN accused Kanu of failing to show remorse or penitence for the offence, insisting that his conduct before the court was marked by arrogance.

He urged the court to order the forfeiture of all the broadcast equipment that were seized from Kanu, as well as to restrict him from having access to digital devices or internet facility, wherever he would be kept to serve the sentence.

Awomolo, SAN pleaded that for Kanu’s safety, he should not be kept at the Kuje prison in Abuja which he said suffered jail breaks in the past.

However, Justice Omotosho, after hearing plea from a member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, to temper justice with mercy, announced his verdict.

Before announcing the conviction, Justice Omotosho accused Kanu – who was earlier ejected from court for opposing his impending judgement – of being unruly and disrespecting the court. He said that the rudeness of the IPOB Leader climaxed with his disruption of the court’s proceedings.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his controversial interception and return to Nigeria from Kenya in circumstances his lawyers describe as “extraordinary rendition”.

The judgement of the court marked an end to Kanu’s trial that lasted over 10 years.

However, Kanu is entitled to challenge Omotosho’s ruling at the appellate court.