Ibadan – Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers have vowed to appeal his conviction, insisting that the judgment does not hold water.
Addressing the press at the Federal High Court shortly after Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment that sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment, his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who was at the court as a consultant, said they were heading to the upper court.
He argued that a man cannot be convicted for mere spoken words, questioning why that should be the case at the Federal High Court.
Earlier, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on all seven counts of terrorism filed against him.
Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment in Kanu’s trial, described him as a terrorist whose actions have led to bloodshed and destabilization in the South-East.
He said Kanu, who portrayed himself as a defender of his people, has instead endangered lives and national security.
The judge emphasized that the prosecution presented credible and sufficient evidence to prove the case against Kanu. He also noted that Kanu failed to enter a defense, choosing instead to rest his case on the prosecution’s evidence.
Justice Omotosho sharply criticised Nnamdi Kanu for his conduct, describing him as arrogant and unrepentant despite the violence and atrocities committed in the South East.
According to the judge, Kanu has repeatedly acted as a nuisance both inside and outside the courtroom, seemingly unmoved by the fact that the country is governed by the rule of law.
Quoting scripture, Justice Omotosho pointed out that, as a Christian, Kanu has failed to heed the admonitions of Jesus Christ against destruction and wrongdoing.
The judge recalled an incident in which Kanu slapped his counsel and vowed never to submit to the court’s authority.
He noted that Kanu has shown no remorse for the harms inflicted on the people of the South East and stated that, while the offences would have ordinarily warranted a death sentence, international law barring capital punishment necessitated a sentence short of death.
He consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment.
