“Who Openly Negotiate With Bandits Walk Freely” – Anger, Outrage Across Southeast Over Kanu’s Life Imprisonment Verdict
Strong waves of anger have erupted across parts of the Southeast following the life sentence handed down to IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
Many residents and commentators expressed outrage, insisting that the ruling deepened long-standing grievances about injustice, marginalisation, and selective application of the law.
A public affairs analyst, Mr. Muo, was particularly furious, describing the court’s decision as both “kangaroo” and “a gang-up.”
He rejected the basis of the conviction, saying:
“I do not know Kanu as a murderer or, in their words, a terrorist. You cannot charge one person with terrorism without bringing the so-called foot soldiers who carried out the acts to trial. Kanu is not responsible for killings in Nigeria.”
Muo accused the prosecution of failing to prove its case and said the ruling reflected systemic unfairness.
According to him, “Kanu merely spoke against injustice and marginalisation,” while others who openly promote violence “walk freely.”
He added that for many Igbo, Kanu represents resistance to structural inequality:
“There is no country Igbos don’t travel to for business, yet there is no seaport in the Southeast to ease their trade. Kanu is fighting against such injustices, but he is the one tagged a terrorist.”
In Awka, another resident, Vin, echoed the same outrage, saying the verdict was biased and influenced by a predetermined agenda.
He pointed to the earlier invasion of Kanu’s family home and the killings that followed — incidents he said were never treated with seriousness by authorities.
