IGBO TOWN UNIONS, PETER OBI, OTHERS REJECT LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KANU

Maazi Nnamdi Kanu 

IGBO TOWN UNIONS, PETER OBI, OTHERS REJECT LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KANU

The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has condemned the judgement of an Abuja court which sentenced Maazi Nnamdi Kanu to a life imprisonment, describing it as injustice and another show of marginalization against the Igbo nation.

Reacting to the judgement over the weekend in Enugu, Chief Emeka Diwe, the President General of ASITU, lamented on how Igbos are being maltreated daily in Nigeria. He noted that Igbo leaders had on various occasions appealed to the federal government to release Kanu, and all to no avail. 

The ASITU leader noted that the way things of Igbo concern are handled in Nigeria are quite different from other tribes, making the region continue to question whether they are part of Nigeria or not. 

"Both in the eyes of the law and in the interest of peace and unity, Kanu's case should have been long resolved amicably. The federal government seems not to understand that Kanu's release will significantly reduce insecurity in the Southeast and stabilize economic growth. We still appeal to the President to intervene and release him".

Also, Former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted to the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as a critical moment for Nigerians to pause and reflect amid the country’s economic and security crises. Obi shared his views on X handle.

Obi noted that rather than easing tension, Kanu’s conviction “may well only aggravate it.” He added that the arrest, detention, and conviction of Kanu represent “a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”

“For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace. Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored,” he wrote.

Obi stressed that Kanu’s grievances were legitimate and could have been addressed through discussion. “The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity,” he said.

He criticized the government’s handling of the matter, saying it has deepened public mistrust and created unnecessary distraction. “While some may insist that ‘the law has taken its course,’ leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law. Nations around the world resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability. Nigeria is not an exception,” Obi wrote.

Describing the government’s actions as counterproductive, he stated: “The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper. It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”

Obi concluded with a call for healing and national unity: “If we truly desire a new Nigeria— a united, peaceful, and progressive one—our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division. Only by addressing grievances with justice, fairness, and compassion can we move towards a future where every Nigerian feels heard, valued, and safe.”

He urged optimism and intervention from statesmen and national leaders: “My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end. I am also saying, thereby, that the Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country and who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity, should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja had sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, handed down the sentence on counts one, two, four, five, and six, opting for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

The judge also handed Kanu a 20-year jail term on count three, with no option of fine, and a five-year jail term on count seven, with no option of fine.

Justice Omotosho delivered the judgment after convicting Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism offences.

The seven counts against Kanu relate to his secessionist agitations, acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed group, killing of security operatives, destruction of public property, concealment, and the importation of an unregistered radio transmitter.

For count three, concerning his membership of a proscribed terrorist group, Justice James Omotosho sentenced Kanu to 20 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

On count seven, which involved the unlawful importation of a radio transmitter for the purpose of broadcasting activities via Radio Biafra, Justice Omotosho sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

The judge noted that Kanu’s statements threatening violence, including directives for sit-at-home orders in the South-East, constituted acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.

“A person who is found guilty of the offence may receive the maximum penalty of death,” Justice Omotosho stated.

According to the court, Kanu’s broadcasts, including threats that “the Army of Nigeria will die” and that “everything called Nigeria will perish,” were designed to promote the breakaway of the South-East, South-South, and parts of the Middle Belt to form a Biafra nation.

“The defendant enforced sit-at-home orders in the South-East, saying there would be a complete shutdown of Biafraland.

He threatened individuals who attempted to open their shops,” the judge said.

Justice Omotosho described these orders as unconstitutional and noted their wide-reaching impact, including business closures, disruption of farming activities, and restrictions on religious observances.

The court also cited Kanu’s repeated broadcasts in which he referred to Nigeria as a “zoo” and promoted secession. In one broadcast, he claimed that nothing would survive in Nigeria if Biafra were not granted.

While the law permits the death penalty for such offences, Justice Omotosho said he had chosen to temper justice with mercy, guided by Christian principles.

“I have reviewed the file from the inception of this matter in 2015. The convict has exhibited unruly behaviour throughout. Nevertheless, this court will exercise mercy, as enjoined by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

Consequently, Justice Omotosho sentenced Kanu as follows: life imprisonment for counts one, two, four, five, and six; 20 years’ imprisonment for count three; and five years’ imprisonment for count seven. All sentences are to run concurrently.

The judge further noted that, due to the potential threat to Kanu’s safety given the number of killings associated with his directives, Kuje Correctional Centre would not be suitable. Kanu is to be held in protective custody at a secure facility elsewhere in Nigeria.

He also ordered that Kanu must not have access to any digital device and that the imported transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Source:

TBE Magazine