A federal high court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism charges.
James Omotosho, presiding judge, found the IPOB leader
guilty on all seven counts preferred against him.
The court held that the prosecution had proved its case
beyond reasonable doubt.
Omotosho held that Kanu was never denied fair hearing as the
defendant claimed. Rather, the judge said Kanu offered no credible defence and
“deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.
On the issue of inadequate facilities to prepare for his
defence, the court held “that there is nothing to show that he was denied
adequate facility to prepare for his defence”.
On the issue of extraordinary rendition from Kenya, the
court said the convict failed to call witnesses to give oral evidence on oath
to that claim.
The court also held that Kanu’s claim that the trial was
unlawful and in disobedience of the orders of an appellate court did not stand.
Omotosho said although the Supreme Court acknowledged that
Kanu’s extraordinary rendition to Nigeria was “unfair and oppressive”, the apex
court also ruled that it does not invalidate his trial for the alleged
offences.
“While extraordinary rendition measures may seem illegal on
the face of it, the way and manner in which the attendance of a defendant is
secured does not vitiate his trial,” the judge ruled.
The judge convicted and sentenced the separatist agitator to
life imprisonment on counts 1,2,4,5, and 6.
On count 3, Kanu got a 20-year sentence, while he was
sentenced to five years on count 7.
Download the full judgment here.
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