Kanu set to challenge life sentence at Appeal Court – Ejimakor

The Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will file an appeal against the life sentence and accompanying jail terms issued by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to his former lawyer and consultant, Aloy Ejimakor.

Speaking with journalists shortly after Thursday’s ruling, Ejimakor confirmed that Kanu intends to take the matter before the Court of Appeal.

He stated, “From here, we are heading to the Court of Appeal. It is the only court in the country that sits as a jury, and we are going to approach the justices there to review what happened in court today.”

Describing the ruling as a “travesty of justice,” Ejimakor expressed optimism that the conviction would not stand.

“If the Court of Appeal disagrees with us, we will proceed to the Supreme Court. But by God Almighty, Nnamdi Kanu is not going to stand convicted. He is going to get overturned,” he added.

Earlier, it was reported that Justice Omotosho had pronounced Kanu guilty on all seven terrorism charges filed against him.

The judge imposed life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six; a 20-year sentence without an option of fine on count three; and five years without an option of fine on count seven.

Explaining his decision, the judge said, “The death penalty is increasingly frowned upon by the international community. Consequently, and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 instead of the death penalty.

“With respect to count 3, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with no option of fine, and for count 7, he is sentenced to five years with no option of fine. To extend mercy, I order that the sentences shall run concurrently.”

He further remarked, “I have no hesitation in concluding that the tendency for violence has not left the convict. As such, he must be kept in a facility suitable for his custody, as placing him in Kuje Correctional Centre may not be appropriate.”