Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has explained his reasons for not sentencing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the maximum punishment of a death sentence after being found guilty of terrorism.
Although Justice Omotosho said that the sentence for Kanu’s offence was the death penalty, the teachings of the Holy Bible on mercy steered the court from sending the convict to the hangman.
Also, according to the Judge, the death penalty was gradually being abolished in many countries, while religious doctrines also advocate mercy.
Quoting a portion of the Bible in Matthew, Justice Omotosho pointed out that Jesus Christ taught His followers to show mercy.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering his sentence on the Abia-born IPOB leader, said that he was moved to temper justice with mercy.
Additionally, according to him, the international community now frowned at the death penalty.
Otherwise, the Judge said, the IPOB leader deserved to die.
The Judge convicted Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Department of State Services and pronounced a life sentence on the IPOB leader.
He faulted Kanu for failing to enter a defence and, instead, choosing to rest his case on the prosecution’s evidence—a gamble the court said left it with no option but to convict.
The Judge criticised Kanu’s approach to achieving a Biafra nation through violence, characterising it as the action of a terrorist group.
As part of the sentencing, the court ruled that Kanu be denied access to electronic devices unless under strict supervision by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Justice Omotosho ordered the forfeiture to the Federal Government of the transmitter used for Kanu’s broadcasts.
