Adegboyega Awomolo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead prosecutor in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, has praised the Federal High Court’s decision to sentence the IPOB leader to life imprisonment, calling it a clear message that no one is above the law.
Speaking to reporters at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, November 20, Awomolo said the verdict reinforces Nigeria’s legal system and sends a warning to anyone who might consider acting outside the law.
“So I congratulate Nigeria today for seeing the end of this, and let it be a warning: those who may think they are bigger than Nigeria.
“Nigeria is bigger than every one of us. The law is bigger than every one of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, to deal with terrorists, to deal with criminals.
“All of us are victims when we keep quiet; all of us are victims when we do not do what we ought to do,” Awomolo stated.
He commended the judiciary for its role in the ruling, noting that it has protected the nation from the destabilising influence of the banned group.
“Justice has been done, and Nigerians must, in one way or another, appreciate the judiciary. Just last Monday, the President said that anytime Nigeria is in serious trouble, the judiciary has always come to the nation’s aid.
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Today, the judiciary has once again salvaged Nigeria from the claws and oppression of the proscribed IPOB. The law is bigger than every one of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, terrorists, and criminals,” he added.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the sentence following Kanu’s conviction on seven counts of terrorism. Kanu received life imprisonment for counts one, two, four, five, and six.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for count three and five years for count seven, both without the option of a fine. The judge ordered that all sentences run concurrently.
“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,” Omotosho said.
The judge also highlighted Kanu’s violent tendencies during the trial, recommending that he be kept in a secure facility suited to his profile rather than the Kuje Correctional Centre.
“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,” Justice Omotosho concluded.