The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has rejected the terrorism conviction delivered by the Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho.
Kanu, who was handed a life sentence, is currently serving his term at the Sokoto Prison.
His reaction was made public by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, following a visit to Kanu in Sokoto. Prince Emmanuel was accompanied on the visit by lawyer Maxwell Opara.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Prince Emmanuel quoted Kanu as stating that he was not allowed to present his final written address.
Kanu maintained that his conviction had no legal foundation.
According to the statement, “I, Prince Emmanuel Kanu and Dr Maxwell Opara have had a meeting with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, at the Sokoto medium security prison. He has instructed me to inform the public that his conviction was without legal basis, as no individual can be convicted under a repealed law.
“His final written address, which was anchored on fair hearing, was also denied, emphasising that the evidence relied upon by the court was not included in the charge sheet or presented as evidence against him. Additionally, the court’s reliance on struck-out charges from Justice Binta Nyako was a significant issue.
“Upon reviewing the judgment, he identified numerous errors that undermined the validity of his trial. He urged well-meaning Nigerian justices, magistrates, and lawyers to carefully examine the judgment and uphold the laws of the land and the Nigerian Constitution. He questioned the disparity between the favourable rulings in Umuahia High Court, Enugu, Appeal Court, United Nations, and Supreme Court, which stated that the laws under which he was charged are repealed and must be amended, yet were ignored.”
The statement further noted that Kanu expressed appreciation to those who acknowledged the injustice and publicly opposed it.
According to Kanu, “I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who will reject injustice, unfairness, and evil against anybody regardless of your tribe, faith, and ethnic background. Injustice to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is injustice everywhere. I remain thankful for all your support, prayers, and good thoughts. Elohim, bless you all.”
