Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Igbo women, traditional rulers and elder statesmen have condemned the life imprisonment handed down to the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) described the judgment as “pre-written,” insisting it confirmed long-held suspicions of systemic bias against the Igbo. IWA President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, said the ruling exposed Nigeria’s “deep-seated hatred” for the Igbo, noting that the court rejected Kanu’s written submissions yet proceeded to convict him.
“Kanu is not a terrorist. He only spoke against injustice. It is unbelievable that a government negotiating with terrorists and bandits is sentencing a freedom fighter to life,” she said.
“All he asked for was fairness and equity for his people.”
Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, also rejected the judgment, describing it as “unbelievable.” He argued that imprisoning Kanu amounted to imprisoning the entire Igbo nation. Wabara questioned why a Boko Haram commander received a five-year sentence just a day before, while Kanu, whom he described as non-violent, was jailed for life.
“This judgment will be appealed, and we are hopeful the Court of Appeal or even the Supreme Court will do justice,” he said.
Similarly, former Minister of Education and Health, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn the verdict, saying Kanu still had 90 days to file an appeal.
A traditional ruler and former Chairman, Umuahia North Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Philip Ajomuiwe, said the ruling reflected Nigeria’s entrenched bitterness towards the Igbo. He questioned why Kanu was convicted on counts previously dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Eze Ajomuiwe maintained that many of Kanu’s warnings about Nigeria had already come to pass and called for a peaceful restructuring or dissolution of the country into more viable entities for harmonious coexistence.
