He’s a terrorist, not a freedom fighter: Court finds Nnamdi Kanu guilty

By Paul Dada

The Federal High Court in Abuja has found IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu guilty of the seven-count terrorism related charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho said Kanu is not a freedom fighter that he calls himself, but a terrorist.

“The defendant has always claimed  to be a freedom fighter,” said the judge.  While admitting that the right to self determination is a civil and political one, Justice Omotosho said, Section 2(1) of the Nigerian constitution says Nigeria is an indivisible state.

He said,  “Anyone agitating against the break up of Nigeria is going against the law of Nigeria.”  He said anyone who wants self determination  can go through the National Assembly. “He is not only agitating for break up but using terrorism as a weapon,” he said.

The judge described Kanu as a very cocky and  arrogant person who boasted that no court could convince him. He said IPOB is a terrorist group like Boko Haram and Lakurawa that have caused the shedding of blood of innocent Nigerians.

“He claims to be a freedom fighter but has caused more havoc to his people more who are predominantly,” the judge said.

After the judgement was read,  prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN,  asked the judge to pass the death sentence on Kanu. He said a conviction for each of the first four counts of the charge attracts the death sentence. He also asked that the judge make a pronouncement that Kanu should not be  allowed access to telecommucation gadgets.

A member of the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Abia State, where Kanu comes from, made an allocutus (a plea for leniency) for the convict.

He said Kanu was his friend and brother. He said the case had gone on for ten years and the convict had been away from his family for a long time. He asked the judge to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Omotosho adjourned till 3:50 pm for the sentencing of the convict.