‘Life sentence for Nnamdi Kanu sends strong message’, says prosecution counsel

 

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, who prosecuted Nnamdi Kanu’s case on behalf of the FG, has praised the sentencing of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra leader to life imprisonment.

Speaking with reporters at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, following Kanu’s conviction on seven counts of terrorism, Awomolo described the judgment as a strong message that no one is above the country’s laws.

“So I congratulate Nigeria today for seeing the end of this, and let it be a warning: those who may think they are bigger than Nigeria. Nigeria is bigger than everyone of us.

“The law is bigger than everyone of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, to deal with terrorists, to deal with criminals. All of us are victims when we keep quiet; all of us are victims when we do not do what we ought to do,” he said.

Awomolo also commended the judiciary for the verdict, noting that Thursday’s judgment had saved the country from the influence of the proscribed group.

“Justice has been done, and Nigerians must, in one way or another, appreciate the judiciary,” he said. “Just last Monday, the President said that anytime Nigeria is in serious trouble, the judiciary has always come to the nation’s aid. Today, the judiciary has once again salvaged Nigeria from the claws and oppression of the proscribed IPOB.”

“The law is bigger than every one of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, terrorists, and criminals,” he reiterated.

Justice James Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of all seven counts of terrorism.

The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five, and six, a 20-year jail term on count three with no option of fine, and five years on count seven with no option of fine.

“The death penalty is increasingly frowned upon by the international community. Consequently, and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 instead of the death penalty.

“With respect to count 3, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with no option of fine, and for count 7, he is sentenced to five years with no option of fine. To extend mercy, I order that the sentences shall run concurrently, ” the judge said.

“I have no hesitation in concluding that the tendency for violence has not left the convict. As such, he must be kept in a facility suitable for his custody, as placing him in Kuje Correctional Centre may not be appropriate,” he added.