BREAKING: IPOB leader, Kanu, sentenced to life imprisonment

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.

The verdict was given on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho at about 4.23 p.m.

The judge said Kanu was supposed to be sentenced to death, but the court decided to be lenient.

His words: “I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the set count 1, 4, 5 and 6 instead of death sentence. This life is sacred to God…”

He spoke generally on the case before giving the verdict and why the court decided to be lenient.

Said he: “No doubt, the convict has not acted well throughout. He has caused delay severally and started crying unlawfully that he was held without trial. And also, his unruly behaviour from the beginning even till today was noticed.

“However, this court will not consider that as the Lord Himself is merciful. This court is only being merciful to him because we have to be merciful as enjoined by our lord Jesus Christ. The court is minded to sentence the convict to death due to the sins he committed. The convict did not show any remorse whatever for his actions.

“He remained arrogant, cocky and full of himself, not realising the magnitude of his crime and effect of what he had done against his people in the South East.

“I’ve listened to the alocutus made by the member of the House of Representative representing the constituency of the convict. Although I’m not really persuaded, but I must temper justice with mercy…

“It is on that note that the court will follow this admonition and show mercy to the convict. In addition, the death penalty is globally being frowned upon by the international community.

“Consequently and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the set count 1, 4, 5 and 6 instead of death sentence. This life is sacred to God…”

Meanwhile, before the judgement was given, Kanu, who was returned to court having been earlier ordered out for being unruly, again insisted that he must be given the opportunity to make a final written statement.

When he started shouting, the judge ordered that he should be taken out for the second time.

He suspended the sitting and said he would come back for the judgement.

Shortly after, the judge returned and gave the judgement, but without Kanu allowed in court.

The judge directed Kanu’s consultant to take the judgement to him upon delivery.

Recall that the court had earlier in the day found Kanu guilty of terrorism.

Justice Omotosho declared that the judgement followed the incontrovertible evidences that Kanu made series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings in the country.

Kanu was found guilty of all the seven counts charge against him.

While the first count charge is on terrorism, the second is enforcement of illegal sit at home order while count three is being a member of a proscribed organisatioin.

He is also guilty of the fourth and five counts bordering on inciting people to take up arms against security personnel and their families.

Kanu was also guilty of counts six and seven.

It would be recalled that earlier, Justice Omotosho, ordered Kanu to be removed from the courtroom.

The order followed Kanu’s repeated insistence that the judgement would not be delivered in the terrorism case against him by the federal government.

Kanu argued that the court could not go ahead with the delivery of the judgement which was to be scheduled for Thursday.

His reason was that he was yet to file his final written address.

The IPOB leader accused the judge of being bias.

He also alleged that the judge did not know the law.

Following the order of the judge, Kanu was taken away from the court room.

The judge continued the delivery of the final judgement in his absence and it was broadcast live.

Judgement day: Judge orders Kanu out of court for being unruly

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