The Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has strongly criticised the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing the judgment as unfair, destabilising, and a threat to the fragile peace in the South-East.
The group noted that the court blind its eyes to the killings by the Nigerian security agencies when IPOB was only protesting with flags.
It added that international human rights organisations had documented well over 150 Igbo youths who were massacred in Abia and Anambra states.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the group said the ruling — delivered without what it considers an adequate opportunity for Kanu to defend himself — “does not speak well for the judiciary and for the Tinubu administration.”
According to Ellis-Ezenekwe, the decision could undermine the relative calm recently restored in the region.
The judiciary may have decided on its own to unravel the painstaking peace achieved in the South East by its singular act of declaring Mazi Nnamdi Kanu guilty without affording him the opportunity to defend himself,” he said.
He warned that the development might have wider political consequences, describing it as “the start of Tinubu’s nemesis, his Achilles heel,” and labelled the ruling “cowardly.”
The group expressed deep disappointment, stating that the entire Igbo community in Abuja received the judgment with sadness.
“We are saddened and disappointed by this ruling,” Ellis-Ezenekwe declared.
The association also criticised what it sees as an inconsistent approach to national reconciliation, arguing that the treatment of Kanu contrasts sharply with gestures extended to other armed groups in the country.
“This conviction is not in line with the spirit of brotherliness that was extended to the Boko Haram combatants and to other combatants around the country,” the statement noted.
Despite their anger over the ruling, the group urged restraint and calm, emphasising the need to avoid actions that could inflame tensions.
“We want peace. And in the name of peace, we have called on our people to remain calm and law-abiding,”
Ellis-Ezenekwe said.
He further called on “patriotic Nigerians to rise and speak up against the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” insisting that justice will ultimately be served.
“Today is a sad day in Nigeria,” he concluded, “but we are confident justice will prevail at the end.”
A Federal High Court in Abuja convicted tKanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the Presiding Judge, James Omotosho, cited prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu made violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for the conviction.
The court found Kanu guilty of counts one and two of making a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, in furtherance of his separatist agitation for Biafra.
The court held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South East states, in his many broadcasts, constitute acts of terrorism.
It also found Kanu guilty on counts four and five of inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, resulting in the killing of security personnel and the destruction of government properties in Lagos.
The court also held that the IPOB leader was not denied a fair hearing as claimed by him.
Justice Omotosho stated that, “A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence.”
According to the judge, Kanu’s repeated threats of violence and killings, including his directives enforcing sit-at-home orders across the South-East in various broadcasts, amounted to acts of terrorism under the law.
“The defendant enforced the order of Sit-at-Home in the South East. Saying there will be a complete shutdown of Biafraland, saying I know some of you are foolish, trying to open your shop around 12 noon. If you do that, we will burn you in that shop.”
Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s orders were unconstitutional.
“This is an unconstitutional act that is subversive, a notorious act where people in the South East are made to sit at home, everywhere is deserted, even the farmlands.”
The Court also held that Kanu, who said he is the founder and Director of Radio and Television of Biafra, made a broadcast to the effect that the Army of Nigeria will die and that everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.
The Court sentenced Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho said he sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six, instead of a death sentence.
He also sentenced the IPOB leader to 20 years imprisonment on Count Three, and five years imprisonment on Count Seven, with no option of fine.
He said the sentence shall run concurrently.
Delivering judgment, he said “I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence.
“With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of fine.
“For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine. To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”
