- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.
Kanu bagged the life sentence following his conviction on the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him.
The Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, delivered the sentence on Thursday after declaring Kanu guilty of all the counts contained in the charge.
In his ruling, Omotosho maintained that Kanu had since the commencement of his trial in 2015 showed no remorse for his action.
Rather, the IPOB leader, according to him, was overly arrogant, cocky, and full of himself- an attitude the judge held that he displayed again earlier today.
While noting that the charge Kanu was convicted for attracts death penalty, Justice Omotosho declared that the penalty will be overturned, citing scriptural statements that harped on the need to temper justice with mercy.
“Although I’m not really persuaded, but I must temper justice with mercy. The court is moved by chapter 23 verse 23 of Matthew, in the book of Matthew.
“It read that ‘Woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites. For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy and faith. These you ought to have done.’
“Note the word mercy, our Lord himself is merciful. No matter what we do he is a merciful God.
“It is on that note that the court will follow the above admonition of Jesus Christ and show mercy to the convict.” He said.
The judge thereafter sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment over count one, four, five, and six of the charge.
On count three, Omotosho sentenced the IPOB leader to 20 years’ imprisonment while slamming a separate five years on him on count seven with no option of fine.
The judge ruled that the sentence must run concurrently and be served in a protective custody in any custodial centre across the country.
“Death sentence globally is now being frowned upon by the international community. Consequently, and the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the said count, one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence.
“Life is sacred to God. With reference to count three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment without no option of fine.
“For count seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine.
“To extend the mercy, I hereby ordered that the sentence shall run concurrently.” The judge ruled.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of the Radio Biafra transmitter to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the court verdicts were made in the absence of Kanu who was earlier ordered out of the court over misconduct.
More details later…