Justice James Omotosho of Abuja Federal High Court has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.

This followed earlier conviction of the IPOB leader of all the seven count charges bothering on terrorism, stoking violence especially during the end SARS protest, illegal operation of Radio Biafra, amongst others.

While reading his judgment on the plea by the Federal Government to sentence Kanu to death penalty, Justice Omotosho held that  

Earlier before the sentencing was read, all the four consultants who represented Kanu in court said they had no brief to represent him in court.

The Judge slammed the lawyers for accepting to be converted to consultants to the convicted after they were disengaged as lawyers.

 

“I read the entire file from the time the matter started in 2015, no doubt, the convict has not acted well throughout this period, he has caused delay severally and started crying that he was held unlawfully without trial

“And also, his unruly behavior from the beginning till today, is noticed. However, this court will not consider that in sentencing, as our God Himself is merciful.

“He has been convicted and this court is only being merciful to him because we have to be merciful as enjoined by Jesus Christ. The court is reminded to sentence the convict to death due to the atrocities he committed.

“The convict has shown no remorse whatever for his actions, he remained arrogant, cocky and full of himself without realsing the magnitude of his crime and effect of what he had done against his people.

“Although, I am not really persuaded but I must temper justice with mercy, the court is hold by Chapter 23 verse 23 in the book of Mathew to the effect that 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 in the above passage and show mercy to the convict.

“In addition, the death penalty, globally is now being frowned upon by the international community. Consequently and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the said counts 1, 4, 5 and 6 instead of death sentence. Life is scared to God.

“With respect to count 3, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of fine.

“For court 7, 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 further ordered that the convict be kept in protective custody anywhere in Nigeria, adding that his tendency for violence has not left him.

“And due to the nature of the offences that bordered on terrorism and the attitude, violent nature of the defendant that I have taken judicial notice, the last adjourned date, he was so unruly that expressed violence, he was about to beat a security officer here.

“This morning, he repeated same. That has been his trait and attitude. So, I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the convict has tendency of violence, the tendency of violence has not left him.

“It is based on this that he must be kept in facility that is suitable for his custody as putting him in Kuje correctional center may not be appropriate.

Also, I take judicial notice and for the conclusion of the judgment and from the exhibit analysed in my judgment, the convict made use of computer device in making broadcast to incite and call for all these atrocities.

It is based on that and without hesitation, I agree with the counsel to the prosecution that the convict must not be allowed near any digital device and if he must, he must be closely monitored by the office of the National Security Adviser.

With the atrocities, the number of killings and the effect on the people of South East, I think he deserve protective custody. I ordered that the convict be kept in protective custody in any correctional center in any part of the country.

“And also, the object of crime in count 7, the transmitter is hereby forfeited to the federal government.