…Judge Dismisses Plea For Leniency From Hon. Obi Aguocha
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment on four of the seven count terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho before reading out the judgment quoted Matthew 23 verse 23 and said life ws sacred and noted that Kanu’s offense carried maximum punishment of death, but opted for mercy.
He also noted that death penalty was not fashionable before the global community, in addition to the admonition of Jesus on the sacredness of life, which informed his decision to commute what would have been death sentence to life imprisonment.
Justice James Omotosho said that the severity of his offense, especially Counts 1,4,5,and 6 attract death penalty, but he was commuting them to life imprisonment, while Kanu was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine for Count 3 and slammed with 5years imprisonment without any option of fine for count 7.
Justice Omotosho said “Life is sacred to God, so despite I am not persuaded, I must temper justice with mercy; the terms are to run concurrently,”.
He stated that despite the plea from Hon. Obi Aguocha representing Umuahia North/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia State, where Kanu comes from, the judge said he was not persuaded as Kanu demonstrates traits and attitude of violence and has shown no remorse.
The IPOB leader was convicted under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, with the court emphasizing that the gravity of the offenses warrants death sentence.
Justice Omotosho however chose to exercise judicial discretion in favour of life imprisonment.
He also pointed out that Kanu has 90 days window to appeal or he would invoke consequential order of the judgment.
The judgment today marks the end for now of the leg battle, which started since 2015, and attracted both national and global attention, except Kanu decides to exercise his right of appeal.