The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for acts of terrorism, having being found guilty of all seven charges preferred against him.
Penpushing reports that the trial judge Justice James Omotosho, who convicted Kanu pointed out that he ought to sentence him to death given the gravity of the convict’s offences and lack of remorse but for scriptural persuasion to be merciful.
Th judge explained that he drew on the book of Matthew in the Bible to commute Kanu’s punishment to life imprisonment instead of death penalty, and therefore sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, instead of death sentence.
“With respect to count 3, he is sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment without fine. He is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for count 7’, the judge declared
Penpushing further reports that Omotosho ordered that the sentences should run concurrently and also ruled that the convict should not be allowed to use digital devices and be kept in protective custody.
The judge equally ordered the forfeiture of the radio transmitters, which the prosecution said he smuggled into the country in 2015, to the Nigerian government.
Penpushing also reports that Omotosho commenting on Kanu’s conduct during trial, which dated back to 2015, said he noted the convict’s unruly behaviour since the start of the case to date.
The judge this including during Thursday’s proceedings when he aggressively maintained that the court could not proceed to deliver the scheduled its judgement, and had to order the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to eject him from the courtroom for the rest of the hours -long proceedings.
Penpushing reports that he added that his review of the case file from inception in 2015, showed that no doubt, the convict has not acted well throughout this period and caused a delay and then cried that he was being held unlawfully”
The judge emphasised the convict was full of arrogance, cocky, aggressive, full of himself, unremorseful and unmindful of the consequences of his actions, stating that throughout his five-hour-long judgement that the prosecution left the evidence presented by the prosecution uncontroverted by failing to enter defence in the case.
Penpushing further reports that he stated that despite the convict’s conduct, the court would not consider that in his sentencing, explaining that the court was only being merciful on him not to sentence him to death
‘This court is only being merciful to him. The court has been reminded to sentence the convict to death. I must temper justice with mercy. I would rely on chapter 22, verse 23 of the book of Matthew’, Omotosho said.
“It is in this note that I would follow the admonishment of Jesus Christ. Death penalty globally is frowned upon. I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for Counts 1, 4, 5 and 6 instead of the death sentence. Life is sacred to God.
“With respect to count 3, he is thereby sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. For count 7, he is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with no option of fine’, the judge added
Penpushing also reports that the judge said the sentence would run concurrently, however, added that the convict has a tendency towards violence; and it is based on this that he must be kept in a facility that is suitable for his custody.
The judge pointed out that and emphasized that Kanu must not be allowed any digital device, and that if he has to, it must be with guidance and the advice of the National Security Adviser.
Penpushing reports that Omotosho observed that given the number of people that have been killed as a result of his actions, the convict deserves protective custody, emphasized that the convict be kept in protective custody in any custodial centre in the country.
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