The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has criticized his conviction on terrorism charges by an Abuja Federal High Court led by Justice James Omotosho. Kanu received a life sentence and is currently incarcerated at Sokoto Prison.
His response to the conviction was shared by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, following a visit to the IPOB leader in Sokoto. Prince Emmanuel was accompanied by a lawyer, Maxwell Opara.
A statement released to Naijatrial on Sunday by Prince Emmanuel quoted Kanu as saying he was not given the chance to present his final written address.
Kanu maintained that his conviction lacks a legal foundation. The statement read, “I, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, along with Dr. Maxwell Opara, have met with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, at the Sokoto medium security prison. He has directed me to inform the public that his conviction is without legal basis, as no one can be convicted under a law that has been repealed.
“His final written address, which was based on the principle of fair hearing, was also denied, highlighting that the evidence the court relied upon was not part of the charge sheet or presented against him. Furthermore, the court’s reliance on charges that were struck out by Justice Binta Nyako was a major concern.
“Upon reviewing the judgment, he found several errors that compromised the integrity of his trial. He called on conscientious Nigerian justices, magistrates, and lawyers to thoroughly review the judgment and uphold the laws of the land and the Nigerian Constitution.
He questioned the inconsistency between the favorable rulings from the Umuahia High Court, Enugu, Appeal Court, United Nations, and Supreme Court, which indicated that the laws under which he was charged are repealed and must be respected.