Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of terrorism.
The sentencing was announced on Thursday by Justice James
Omotosho of the federal high court, Abuja.
Kanu was handed the life imprisonment sentence for Counts 1,
4, 5 and 6 of the seven-count charges.
The Biafra Radio director also received 20 years and five
years imprisonment on Counts 3 and 7, respectively.
Delivering judgment, James Omotosho, the presiding judge,
held that the prosecution had successfully established every allegation.
He said Kanu offered no credible defence and “deliberately
refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.
The judge said the IPOB leader was “a person who cannot be allowed to remain in the company of sane minds”, while describing him as an “international terrorist”.
He said Kanu’s claim of being a freedom fighter could not
excuse actions taken outside the bounds of the law.
Omotosho noted that Kanu pursued his agitation through
“brutal force and terrorism”, which caused the “bloodshed of innocent
citizens”.
THE DEATH PENALTY REQUEST
The federal government, through Adegboyega Awomolo, a senior
advocate of Nigeria and senior counsel in the matter, had earlier asked for the
death penalty.
“The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One,
Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention
Amendment Act 2013, is death,” he said.
“With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this
court has no discretion in that regard.
“The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One,
Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we
expect that you will.”
However, the judge said that while the IPOB founder’s crimes
merited the death penalty, he opted for a life sentence to show mercy.
‘HE REMAINED ARROGANT, COCKY, FULL OF HIMSELF’
“He has been convicted, and this court is only being
merciful to him because we have to be merciful as enjoined by our Lord Christ
Jesus Christ. The court is minded to sentence the convict to death due to the
atrocity he committed. The convict has not shown any remorse whatsoever for his
actions.” Omotosho said.
“He remained arrogant, cocky, and full of himself without
realising the magnitude of his crime and the effect of what he has done against
his people in the south-east. I have listened to the allocates made by a member
or part of a representative representing the constituency of the convict.
Although I am not really persuaded, I must show mercy.
“The court is moved by chapter 23, verse 23 in the book of
Matthew. It is on that note that the court will follow the above admonition of
Jesus Christ and show mercy to the convict.
“In addition, the death penalty globally is now being
condemned by the international community. Consequently, and in the interest of
justice, I hereby sentence the convicts to life imprisonment for Counts 1, 4,
5, and 6, instead of a death sentence.
“With respect to Count 3, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years
imprisonment without the option of a fine. For Count 7, he is sentenced to 5
years imprisonment with no option of a fine.
“To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall
run concurrently.”
TERMS OF SENTENCING
He said that, having shown a violent attitude throughout the
trial, he must be placed in protective custody in any part of Nigeria.
Omotosho said Kanu must not be allowed to use any electronic
devices, including phones, and must be under the supervision of the Office of
the National Security Adviser (NSA) if he must use any device.
The judge also ordered that his radio transmitter be
forfeited to the federal government.
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