Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has broken his silence days after he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Recall that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted Kanu of terrorism and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The next day, it was confirmed that Kanu has been moved to. Sokoto prison.
Many Nigerians, including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi have since condemned the judgement. The IPOB leader has now spoken for the first time since the conviction.
Kanu’s reaction to his conviction was disclosed by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, after a visit to him in Sokoto. Prince Emmanuel visited Kanu in company with a lawyer, Maxwell Opara.
A statement made available to media on Sunday by Prince Emmanuel quoted Kanu as saying he was denied opportunity to present his final written address. Kanu insisted that his conviction was without legal basis.
The statement read, “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me to inform the public that his conviction was without legal basis, as no individual can be convicted under a repealed law.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 anchored on fair hearing was also denied, emphasized 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Enugu, Appeal Court, United Nations, and Supreme Court, which stated that the laws under which he was charged are repealed and must be amended, yet were ignored.”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 added that Kanu commended individuals of good conscience who recognized the injustice and rejected it.
“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 supports, prayers, and your good thoughts. Elohim, bless you all,” Kanu added.
