After several years of standing trial on terrorism allegations, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison but the prosecutors is demanding death sentence.
Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, is representing the Federal Government, while Nnamdi Kanu is representing himself.
But immediately after the conviction was pronounced, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Awomolo, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty prescribed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Awomolo reminded the court that the law mandates a death sentence for several of the offences Kanu was convicted of.
“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence. The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death,” Awomolo submitted.
“With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard. The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”
4:28pm: Court rises.
4:22pm: Justice Omotosho sentences Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on count 1, 2, 4,5, 6 instead of death sentence. In count 3- sentenced to 20years imprisonment. In count 7- sentenced to 5 years. The sentencing will run concurrently. Judge says Kanu must be kept in a facility that will be suitable for his custody, as putting him in Kuje Correctional Center will not be viable. Judge says he should not be allowed close to any digital device. If he must have access to a digital device, he must be monitored by the office of NSA. Judge adds that he should be kept in the protective custody of any correctional center around the country. His transmitter would be given to the federal government, the judge says.
4:15pm: The judge is asking Kanu’s lawyers turned consultants to introduce themselves. He wants them to give the feedback of the sentence to Kanu. Tells them to act professionally. “It is abysmal of the defendant slapping his counsel in public.” Court ordered that they should get the sentence to Kanu. Says they are consultants and have their names on record. “He has read the file since it was sent to him, no doubt, Kanu has not behaved properly. However, the court will not consider that in the sentencing.”
2:42pm: The judge rises to reconvene at 3:50pm for sentencing.
2:37PM: Judge says the convict has habitually unruly attitude. “He should have been here.” He called his consultant, Alloy Ejimakor, to speak on his behalf. Ejimakor passed the baton of reaction to Honorable Obi Aguocha, who represent Kanu’s constituency, Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, at the House of Representatives.
2:32pm: Awomolo demands death Sentence for Nnamdi Kanu after his conviction on terrorism charges. Awomolo pleads that he be kept in the safest correctional center because his safety is very important. He says Kanu has enemies and friends, adding that Kuje Correctional center is not ideal due to jail breaks.
2:22pm: Prosecution lead counsel, Awomolo, SAN, says he has some points that will guide the judge in his sentencing. “Terrorism is a great threat to humanity. Families of the 75 officers who were killed, will find succor in the verdict. The convict now knows that the law is greater than any individual. Kanu has demonstrated no restraint for ACJA. He ought to show penitence and remorse, and not arrogance.
2:18pm: The judge says the defendant was rude and cocky, stating that no court can convict him. “He brought more harm to his people who are of Christian faith. He says the IPOB leader is “a terrorist and must be treated as such.”
2:16pm: Nnamdi Kanu has been convicted on all the seven count charges. According to Justice Omotosho, the right to self-determination is a political right. “Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, gives people the right to self-determination. Nigeria domesticated the charter, provided it does not conflict with the constitution. Section 1(1) of the constitution states that Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state. Self-determination can only be achieved by seeking an amendment to the constitution from the National Assembly and not a referendum.
2:13pm: The judge says Nigeria is an indivisible state and can’t be divided, adding that anyone agitating for a break up of Nigeria is breaking the law. “The defendant is using terrorism as a weapon to bring secession to Nigeria. The defendant did not threaten Nigeria only, but his own people.”
2:09pm: Nnamdi Kanu convicted of Count Seven.
2:04pm: The judge, thereafter, convicted him on Count Six.
2:02pm: Justice Omotosho holds that Kanu extended his terrorism act to the United States of America, when he ordered that the American Embassy be brought down, in a broadcast.
1:57pm: Justice Omotosho classifies Nnamdi Kanu as an “international terrorist.” The judge says this is due to his intention to “bomb the British High Commission, and to kill the then British high commissioner Catriona Laing.”
1:43pm: Nnamdi Kanu convicted of Count four and five.
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