IDC condemns injustice in Nnamdi Kanu’s sentence, demands reform

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) has condemned the life jail term handed down to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The IDC noted that while the court’s decision upheld the rule of law, it criticised the judgment as inequitable and politically motivated, saying it failed to address broader issues of justice and self-determination in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.

The charges include terrorism, incitement to violence, and the enforcement of sit-at-home orders.

Omotosho, while delivering the judgment, declined to impose the death penalty, citing global shifts away from capital punishment.

Kanu was also convicted of using broadcasts to incite violence as part of his campaign for the establishment of the State of Biafra.

The prosecution had sought the death penalty, but the court opted for life imprisonment.

Kanu’s legal team has vowed to appeal the judgment, describing it as an aberration and arguing that mere speech should not amount to terrorism.

The IDC contextualised Kanu’s sentencing within Nigeria’s historical and political landscape, drawing parallels with Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s 1966 death sentence for treason, underscoring what it sees as a legacy of oppressive rulings against advocates of self-determination.

The Ijaw pressure group lamented the ongoing violence in Northern Nigeria, noting that despite numerous atrocities and the alleged links of some government officials to terrorism, comparable legal actions have not been taken against such persons, highlighting a disparity in justice.

Focusing on the broader struggle for political equity, the IDC framed Kanu’s fight not as one isolated to the Igbo people but as part of a wider call from marginalised groups in the Niger Delta and Middle Belt for true fiscal federalism.

The IDC advocates for the devolution of powers and resource control to local levels.

The group argued that the over-centralisation of Nigeria’s security and governance undermines peace and fuels separatist agitations and violence.

It called for urgent reflection, a political solution, and the convening of a National Conference to address Nigeria’s structural challenges.

The IDC also expressed concern about internal divisions among the Igbo and warned that failure to engage politically and diplomatically could lead to increased volatility and insecurity in the South-East.

The Ijaw group called for peaceful advocacy, the use of legal channels, and coalition-building both domestically and internationally to pursue constitutional reforms and self-determination within Nigeria’s framework.

The IDC advised the Nigerian government, IPOB, and other stakeholders to prioritise justice, dignity, and national unity.

The group urged President Tinubu’s administration to rebuild public trust through foresight and structural reforms, warning against ignoring deep-seated grievances that could further destabilise Nigeria’s fragile federation.

The IDC’s reaction to the court verdict is contained in a statement signed by IDC leaders Professor Mondy Selle Gold, Professor Edward Agbai, and Professor Emmanuel Tam Ezekiel-Hart.

The statement emphasises the importance of genuine federalism as a viable path to lasting peace and development in Nigeria.

According to the IDC, the court verdict marks a critical moment in Nigeria’s handling of separatist movements and national cohesion, with far-reaching implications for the country’s political future.