Judul : Nnamdi Kanu's Decade-Long Terrorism Trial Concludes with Life Sentence
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Nnamdi Kanu's Decade-Long Terrorism Trial Concludes with Life Sentence
The legal proceedings against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Federal High Court in Abuja concluded yesterday following a decade-long process, as the court ultimately found him guilty on all seven amended charges.
The court later imposed a life sentence on him for carrying out terrorist acts against Nigeria and its citizens.
The pro-Biafran was first arrested in Lagos in 2015 and subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Abuja, before his re-arraignment at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The matter moved between courts and was heard by four separate judges from the Federal High Court, ultimately being resolved yesterday by Justice James Omotosho.
The proceedings were also delayed for approximately four years after Kanu skipped bail and left the country, after his family's home in Abia State was raided by military personnel in 2017. He was later captured in Kenya in 2021 and returned to face the trial.
In 2022, Judge Binta Nyako, who was then a trial judge, dismissed eight of the 15 charges and instructed him to present his defense on the remaining seven counts.
The case reached the Supreme Court in 2023 before being sent back to the trial court.
Yesterday, in delivering the verdict in the case, Omotosho declared the defendant guilty of all seven charges.
The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully demonstrated the elements of the charge against the IPOB leader.
The federal authorities had summoned five witnesses and presented numerous documents and video materials to demonstrate that Kanu engaged in terrorist activities via his social media broadcasts, which resulted in the deaths of many people in the South-east region.
The footage featured multiple broadcasts by the Biafra nation's activist making various threats against Nigerians, including enforcing stay-at-home orders for people in the South-east region.
Additional video footage showed instances where the IPOB leader referred to Nigeria as a zoo, made threats towards security forces, and warned of damaging public facilities such as banks, schools, and police stations.
Nevertheless, Kanu was unable to present his defense for the seven charges brought against him, leading the court to declare him in default and schedule a hearing for November 20 to deliver a verdict.
Rendering a verdict, Omotosho mentioned that unchallenged facts were considered to be acknowledged, and then declared him guilty of count one, which involved committing Acts of Terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria by making a broadcast with the intent to intimidate the populace.
The judge referenced and quoted Kanu during one of his broadcasts, where he stated that Somalia would be a minor issue compared to what would happen to Nigeria if they did not grant them Biafra.
The court also referenced another case in which Kanu warned, "within the next two weeks, the killing will start... We are prepared to die rather than be enslaved... The Nigerian army will perish in Biafra territory," and similar statements.
As per Omotosho, all the aforementioned situations that were not refuted by the defendant constituted acts of terrorism directed at Nigeria and are subject to punishment under the Terrorism Prevention Act.
Omotosho also declared Kanu guilty on charge two, which involved broadcasting with the intent to intimidate the public by urging them to stay home, particularly in the five South-east states.
As per the judge, the prosecution's witnesses stated that because of Kanu's threat of violence, numerous banks, markets, and churches were closed down.
He cited the defendant's statement during his broadcast on May 30, 2021, in which Kanu stated, "tomorrow... there will be a total lockdown... no one should be outside tomorrow... if you want to stay alive, don't come out tomorrow... we will burn you inside that shop."
The judge ruled that Kanu's statement constituted intimidation against individuals from the South-east, particularly Christians who regularly attended church and merchants who operated their shops every day.
Furthermore, Omotosho noted that Kanu, neither being the president of Nigeria nor holding any official position, did not have the authority to enforce a stay-at-home order in the South-east or any other region of the country.
The judge determined that the stay-at-home directives issued by Kanu were "unlawful" and "constitute no more than a terrorist action."
In the same way, the court determined that the defendant was not only a member of a banned organization (IPOB), but also its leader.
The court also found Kanu guilty of charges four, five, and six, which involved broadcasting content that urged members of the public to kill Nigerian security personnel, including those from the Nigeria Police.
As per the judge's ruling, the prosecution demonstrated that Kanu, through numerous broadcasts, encouraged his supporters to engage in violent acts, leading to the death of security officers, including Mr. Ahmed Gulak, who previously served as an assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and the damage of multiple properties, such as police stations throughout the nation.
In the same way, the court convicted Kanu on charge seven, which involved the unlawful importation of a radio transmitter into the nation.
Prior to delivering the verdict, the judge mentioned that he would not let the defendant's disruptive conduct prevent him from seeking a more lenient punishment.
The judge then contacted one of his advisors, Alloy Ejimakor, to deliver a plea on behalf of the IPOB leader, but Ejimakor pointed out that he was not an authorized lawyer and was not appropriately dressed as a minister in the house of justice, thus unable to make the plea.
He then gave the floor to the politician from Kanu's constituency.
Aguocha, who told the court that Kanu was his classmate at the time, requested the court to show mercy to the convicted individual, stating that the person should be between 56 and 57 years old.
Previously, the prosecution's legal representative, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, requested the court to impose the harshest sentence, the death penalty, in order to act as a warning to others, highlighting that acts of terrorism have been rising in the nation lately.
Additionally, the senior attorney argued that the highest penalty would bring justice to all the victims of his terrorist activities.
He based his argument on the claim that over 75 security officers died as a result of Kanu's terrorist activities, along with his associates and supporters, while numerous other innocent Nigerians were also killed and public property was damaged.
Handing down the sentence, the court noted that while Kanu warranted the death penalty due to the severity of his crime and his absence of regret, the court was nevertheless cautious in showing compassion and ultimately imposed a life sentence.
The judge further directed that the IPOB leader be placed under protective custody anywhere in the country to safeguard him from potential attacks, as a result of the harm he has inflicted on many people, particularly those from the South-east region.
The court, in issuing the order, noted that the Kuje Correctional Centre might not be suitable because of the escape.
Furthermore, Omotosho directed the Correctional Centre to prevent Kanu from using computer equipment, citing that he had utilized these devices to incite all the atrocities.
"He should not be permitted to approach any of these devices," Omotosho stated, noting that his access could be restricted but he must be supervised by the National Security Adviser's office (NSA).
In counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, Kanu received a life sentence, while he was given 20 years for count three and five years for count five.
The court further mandated the seizure of the radio transmitter by the federal government.
Abaribe: Kanu's Life Imprisonment Was a Premeditated Scheme Targeting the South-East
The former leader of the Senate Minority, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, criticized the conviction and life sentence given to Nnamdi Kanu, calling the ruling the result of a prolonged conspiracy targeting the South-east.
Abaribe, who serves as the senator for Abia South in the 10th Senate, conveyed in a statement released in Abuja through his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, that the result was not unexpected to "the Igbo people and other sensible Nigerians."
He maintained that the process resulting in the conviction was already decided in advance.
A portion of the statement said, "We are not taken aback. The life imprisonment given to Kanu was a premeditated scheme that has finally come to its anticipated conclusion. For many of us, the result was already known."
Abaribe stated that the warning signals became evident from the time the federal government rejected repeated requests to offer Kanu the same amnesty and reconciliation measures that had been given to other armed groups in various regions of the country.
"At that moment, the federal government declined to consider requests for granting amnesty to Nnamdi Kanu, as was the case for others, and we understood that today's result was inevitable," the senator said.
Abaribe likened the approach taken against insurgents and militants in different areas, calling the difference a clear example of unfairness.
He remarked, "Isn't it ironic that talks and peace agreements with violent terrorists in the North-east and North-west were enthusiastically started by state and federal governments as well as local authorities?"
Similar to the amnesty given to former militants in the South-south, many of whom were subsequently awarded profitable oil pipeline contracts. This implies that justice in Nigeria is not extended to the South-east.
He expressed sorrow that, even with multiple efforts, requests, and campaigns for mercy aimed at promoting national unity, fairness, and diversity, every plea went unanswered.
Abaribe stated, "So we are not taken aback. Our community can only persist and look forward to an era where justice in Nigeria becomes essential."
We have given our utmost; we have presented different arguments urging the authorities to be cautious and at least agree to show clemency for the sake of unity and diversity.
The senator stated that the recent situation has now imposed a significant duty on President Bola Tinubu, whom he encouraged to take firm action in the interest of fairness and national unity.
"The Igbo people now have no alternative but to entrust their future directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he stated.
Abaribe called for peace among Nigerians, particularly in the South-east, encouraging people to avoid violence when voicing their dissatisfaction with the decision.
"We urge the Igbo people and all those who cherish Nigeria to stay composed, offer prayers, and avoid taking justice into their own hands," he stated.
Nigerian Military Rejects False 'Stay-at-Home' Directive, Promises Southeast Region Full Protection
The Nigerian Army's 82nd Division rejected an online threat message that claimed to issue a false "stay-at-home" order for the previous day, before the ruling, calling it an act by criminals aiming to cause fear and disrupt the Southeast region.
As per the military, the message was designed to create fear, interfere with economic operations, and weaken government control, even though security forces have made progress in ending illegal stay-at-home orders imposed by banned organizations.
In a statement from Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the military assured locals that the threat was insignificant and would not interfere with peace or limit the freedom of lawful citizens.
It stated, "We want to clearly reassure the residents of the South-East that these threats are false and will not be tolerated, as no unlawful command will be allowed to disrupt the peace and freedom of lawful citizens."
Ayeni mentioned that the 82nd Division, in partnership with the police and other security organizations, had established a thorough security strategy to ensure the protection of every resident.
He mentioned that security personnel had been sent to safeguard people, assets, and essential facilities, while stopping any efforts of destruction or aggression.
The military further stated that freedom of movement was still completely safeguarded, and locals were allowed to engage in their legal activities without any concern.
"A period of peaceful living together is expected, with economic activities remaining strong throughout the area," the statement mentioned.
Citizens were encouraged to ignore alarming statements spread by organizations aiming to create hysteria for their own benefit.
Residents were also urged to carry on with their regular activities without fear, stay composed, and notify the appropriate officials of any unusual behavior.
The military issued a caution to lawbreakers trying to impose the alleged directive, emphasizing that anyone caught assuming judicial authority will encounter firm measures as per legal procedures.
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