The Federal High Court, Abuja, today Thursday, has sent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment.
In passing the sentence, Justice James Omotosho said: “Life is sacred to God, so despite I am not persuaded, I must temper Justice with mercy, the terms are to run concurrently.”
Following this, he pronounced that the convict be sent to prison for life.
Kanu had been found guilty of a seven-count terrorism and murder charge brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Kanu was handed a life imprisonment sentence for Counts 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the seven-count charges instead of a death sentence.
He was handed a 20-year jail term for Count 3 without option of fine and 5-year jail term for Count 7 without an option of fine.
Justice James Omotosho who handed down the sentence on Thursday had called for recess after convicting the IPOB leader.
Kanu was convicted under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
The Federal Government counsel had earlier insisted that the gravity of the offences left the court with only one lawful option –the death penalty.
Delivering judgement, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu was guilty on all the counts in the charge being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the court, the Prosecution presented sufficient and credible evidence to establish its case against Kanu.
Justice Omotosho said the court had no option but to believe the evidence as led by the Prosecution since the defendant failed to enter his defence.
Omotosho said that in waiving his chance to defend himself, Kanu chose the path of gambling and rested his case on that of the Prosecution.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, informed the court that the sections of the law, under which Kanu was charged and convicted, dictated a death sentence without any option.
Addressing the court after the pronouncement of Kanu’s guilt, the senior lawyer said the court had no discretion to exercise than to impose maximum punishment on him in line with the dictates of the law.
According to Awomolo, throughout the trial, Kanu failed to show remorse, but chose to be militant, arrogant and unruly in his attitude.
Awomolo also demanded that all properties seized from Kanu be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The Prosecution counsel equally demanded that Kanu be taken to prison where his security will be guaranteed till when the judgment against him would be executed.
