Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has spoken publicly for the first time since he was sentenced to life imprisonment, breaking his silence through a statement conveyed by his younger brother.
Kanu was convicted of terrorism by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and handed a life sentence earlier in the week.
By the next day, it was confirmed that he had been transferred to the Sokoto Medium Security Prison, a development that sparked national reactions and widespread criticism.
Among those who condemned the verdict was former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that Kanu’s first response to the judgement was delivered through his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who visited him in Sokoto in the company of lawyer, Dr. Maxwell Opara.
Prince Emmanuel, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the IPOB leader insisted he was denied the chance to present his final written address, a key component of his defence.
He emphasized that Kanu considered his conviction to be legally unsound.
The statement began:
“I Prince Emmanuel Kanu and Dr Maxwell Opara have had a meeting with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, at the Sokoto medium security prison.
It continued:
“He has instructed me to inform the public that his conviction was without legal basis, as no individual can be convicted under a repealed law.
Kanu also maintained that his right to fair hearing was violated:
“His final written address which anchored on fair hearing was also denied, emphasized that the evidence relied upon by the court was not included in the charge sheet or presented as evidence against him.”
“Additionally, the court’s reliance on struck-out charges from Justice Binta Nyako was a significant issue.”
The statement further noted:
“Upon reviewing the judgment, he identified numerous errors that undermined the validity of his trial.”
Kanu urged members of the judiciary and legal profession to scrutinize the judgement:
“He urged well-meaning Nigerian justices, magistrates, and lawyers to carefully examine the judgment and uphold the laws of the land and the Nigerian Constitution.”
He also raised concerns about the inconsistency between his conviction and earlier favourable rulings from various courts and bodies:
“He questioned the disparity between the favorable rulings in Umuahia High Court, Enugu, Appeal Court, United Nations, and Supreme Court, which stated that the laws under which he was charged are repealed and must be amended, yet were ignored.”
The statement concluded by noting that Kanu appreciated those who had spoken out against what they saw as injustice.
His message to supporters read:
“I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who will reject injustice, unfairness, and evil against anybody regardless of your tribe, faith, and ethnic background. Injustice to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is injustice everywhere. I remain thankful for all your supports, prayers, and your good thoughts. Elohim, bless you all.”
