Life jail for Kanu: S’East leaders rally for political solution

In a dramatic session that extended for more than seven hours, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to life imprisonment on Thursday. This sentence followed his conviction on all seven counts of terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

In a prompt reaction to this development, leaders from the South-East announced their intention to seek a political solution for Kanu’s release, urging for calm among the populace.

Speaking on behalf of the Ndigbo leaders, Ben Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, remarked, “All hope is not lost: A political solution is in progress to secure Kanu’s release.”

In a statement issued by Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy speaker, Kalu conveyed his optimism that Kanu would be released through political means.

The South-East leader expressed his belief that President Bola Tinubu would heed the appeals of well-meaning Igbo leaders regarding this issue, asserting that the President would not oppose such efforts. He urged the people of the South-East and all Nigerians to maintain their composure.

“It is now the appropriate time to pursue political solutions that had been obstructed while the matter was pending in court. Now that the court proceedings have concluded, we must intensify our requests for the President’s intervention, and we are confident that the President is receptive to this. We will achieve this. All hope is not lost. Our people should remain calm.”

The court proceedings commenced under tense circumstances when Kanu interrupted the judge, leading to an order for security personnel to remove the IPOB leader from the courtroom.

The judge indicated that the session would proceed without Kanu, characterizing his conduct in court as unruly.

Kanu had interrupted during the verdict, asserting that the court could not continue as he had not submitted his final written address.

He elevated his voice, asserting, "Which law permits you to impose charges based on an unwritten statute? Present it to me. Omotosho, where is the law? Any ruling issued in this court is utter nonsense."

He accused the judge of partiality and asserted that the judge did not comprehend the law.

Following a short recess, the prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, requested the court to proceed with the trial in Kanu's absence, citing his disruptive behavior.

Omotosho remarked that although a defendant possesses a constitutional right to be present during the trial, persistent misconduct may permit the trial to continue without them.

"If a defendant misbehaves or behaves in a disorderly fashion during their trial, the proceedings may be carried out in their absence," he stated.

He emphasized that the court of justice is a sacred institution.

He pointed out that Kanu's disruptive demeanor was not unprecedented, as he had previously displayed similar conduct multiple times.

The judge noted that the leader of the banned group had indicated he would not provide a defense, and that the session on Thursday was designated for judgment and potential sentencing.

Following the directive, Kanu was escorted out of the courtroom, and the judge proceeded to deliver the verdict.

Omotosho, while concluding the judgment in what marked the final stage of the proceedings that commenced at 9 am and concluded around 4:30 pm, sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment concerning counts one, two, four, five, and six of the seven-count indictment.

The seven counts pertain to Kanu's secessionist efforts to separate the South-East, South-South, and parts of the middle belt from Nigeria, engaging in acts of terrorism, affiliation with a proscribed group, killing security personnel, arson, destruction of public property, concealment, and the importation of an unregistered radioactive transmitter.

For count three, which pertains to the offense of belonging to a proscribed terrorist organization, Omotosho imposed a sentence of 20 years imprisonment without the possibility of a fine.

On count seven, pertaining to his illegal importation of a radio transmitter intended for broadcasting the activities of Radio Biafra, which is unregistered in Nigeria, Justice Omotosho sentenced him to five years of imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Justice Omotosho stated that committing acts of terrorism against the nation through statements such as "people will die and the nation will stand still" constitutes an act of terrorism, which is an offense punishable by death.

Omotosho remarked, "A person found guilty of this offense will face a maximum death sentence. The international community increasingly disapproves of the death penalty. Therefore, in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 instead of imposing the death penalty.

"Regarding count 3, he is sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment without the option of a fine, and for count 7, he receives a five-year sentence without the option of a fine. To show leniency, I order that the sentences shall run concurrently," the judge stated.

The judge noted that Kanu's repeated threats of violence and killings, including his directives enforcing sit-at-home orders throughout the South-East in various broadcasts, constituted acts of terrorism under the law.

"The defendant enforced the sit-at-home order in the South-East, declaring there would be a complete shutdown of Biafraland; stating, 'I know some of you are foolish, trying to open your shop around 12 noon. If you do that, we will burn you in that shop.'"

The judge further asserted that Kanu's orders were unconstitutional.

"This is an unconstitutional act that is subversive, a notorious act where individuals in the South-East are compelled to remain at home, leaving the streets deserted, even the farmlands."

The court also determined that Kanu, who claims to be the founder and Director of Radio and Television of Biafra, made a broadcast asserting that the 'Army of Nigeria will die and that everything called Nigeria will

The court found him guilty of violating terrorism laws through multiple broadcasts in which he threatened Nigeria's existence, referred to the country as a "Zoo," and advocated for the secession of the South-East, South-South, and parts of the Middle Belt to establish a Biafra nation.

The court confirmed that his directives resulted in the death of Ahmed Gulak, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, the closure of businesses, the hindrance of farmers from accessing their farms, and, given that the South-East is predominantly Christian, the obstruction of Nigerian citizens from attending church services.

Omotosho indicated that Kanu, in one of his broadcasts, asserted that Somalia would be a paradise if the demand for the Biafran nation was not fulfilled.

In an interview with Sahara Television, the court noted that the IPOB leader claimed that nothing would survive in a "zoo" known as Nigeria by the time he carried out his secession threats.

The judge remarked that Kanu, in one of his numerous statements, declared that the only language understood by the people in the "zoo" (Nigeria) is violence, which he promised to deliver.

During the Igbo World Congress in the United States, Kanu also warned of an impending bloodbath and mentioned that America would supply "guns and bullets."

"We are prepared to perish unless we are granted Biafra," Omotosho quoted him as saying.

Omotosho remarked that although Kanu has displayed unruliness throughout the trial, and despite the law permitting a death sentence for the terrorism charges, he has opted to temper justice with mercy as a Christian, in accordance with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, referencing the book of Matthew in the Bible.

He said, “I read the entire file from the time the matter first started in 2015. He has caused delays. Also, his unruly behaviour from the beginning till today. However, this court will not consider that, as God himself is merciful. This court is only being merciful to him as enjoined by our Lord Jesus Christ. The court is minded to sentence the convict to death. He has remained arrogant, unruly, and cocky.

“I have listened to the allocution made by the House of Representatives member, of which I am not convinced; however, I must temper Justice with mercy. The court is moved by the teachings on mercy in the book of Mathew.

“The Lord is merciful, the court will follow the admonishments of the Lord Jesus Christ and show mercy. I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the said counts one, two, four, five and six. For count three, the convict is sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with the option of a fine. Count seven, the convict is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with the option of a fine. To extend mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”

Omotosho stated that due to his persistent inclination towards violence, coupled with the heinous acts and the murders he committed against the people of South-East, his safety must be a priority, as he could potentially face retaliation from those who have lost loved ones as a result of his directives.

The court emphasized that the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja would be inappropriate, part