Nnamdi Kanu appeals life sentence
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has announced plans to appeal his recent sentencing, following a life imprisonment judgment handed down by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu was convicted on seven terror-related counts, including incitement, enforcing stay-at-home orders, and giving instructions perceived as violent. As part of the ruling, he received life sentences on several charges, while additional terms were imposed for other counts 20 years on one, and five years on another.
His lead consultant and former lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, strongly condemned the verdict. Speaking after the judgment, Ejimakor described the ruling as “a travesty of justice” and said the legal team would immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal. He added that if the Appeal Court does not reverse the judgment, they would take the case to the Supreme Court.
Ejimakor argued that Kanu was convicted largely on the basis of his broadcasts, and questioned how a man can be jailed for “mere spoken words.” He emphasized that some of the evidence used against Kanu was non-violent speech, and insisted that his client’s activism does not amount to terrorism.
Kanu’s legal team is also warning of broader implications. They say the sentence raises serious concerns about Nigeria’s justice system and its treatment of free speech. Meanwhile, some Igbo leaders have expressed deep worry, suggesting that the life term is not just for Kanu but symbolically affects the entire Igbo community.
