Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has strongly criticised the conviction and life sentence handed down to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying the development validates long-standing worries about systemic injustice in Nigeria.
In a statement released in Abuja by his media adviser, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe said the verdict came as no surprise to the South-East and to “many fair-minded Nigerians.”
He noted that the Federal Government’s consistent refusal to consider dialogue or amnesty for Kanu had already signalled the likely outcome.
According to him, once the court declined to extend to Kanu the same conciliatory measures previously offered to armed groups in other regions, it became evident that “today’s judgment was already written on the wall.”
Abaribe accused the government of operating a clear double standard in its approach to justice.
He referenced peace negotiations held with terror groups in the North East and North West, alongside the amnesty and economic benefits granted to former militants in the South South.
“Is it not ironic,” Abaribe said, “that authorities at every level eagerly engaged violent groups in dialogue and even rewarded ex-militants with lucrative pipeline contracts, yet no such consideration was given to the South East? This only shows that justice in Nigeria is not evenly applied.”
The senator explained that South-East leaders had repeatedly appealed for restraint and had urged the Federal Government to explore a political resolution, but their calls were dismissed.
“We are not taken aback. All we can do is continue to hope for a future where justice becomes the foundation of our nation.”
Despite expressing disappointment over the ruling, Abaribe urged residents of the region to remain peaceful, saying that the South East now looks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the situation fairly.
“The fate of the Igbo now lies on President Tinubu’s desk. Our people must stay calm and prayerful. May Nigeria grow in justice, equity and fairness.”
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court delivered the life-imprisonment sentence following Kanu’s decade-long trial.
The judgment comes four years after Kanu was seized in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria.
