Kanu’s conviction avenue for Tinubu’s pardon, says Igbo Youth Leader, Okpalaezeukwu

By Kenechukwu Ofomah

Despite the life imprisonment sentence slammed on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday by the Federal High Court, Abuja, Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly has described the judgement as a welcome development.

The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho had sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, bordering on terrorism.

On court 3, Kanu was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine, while on count 7, he got 5 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Reacting to the judgement in an exclusive interview in Awka, the leader of Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu expressed gladness that finally there is a judgement on the matter, which will open the room for other developments.

According to him, the continued detention of Mazi Kanu without trial over the years had kept people of the Southeast in perpetual mental torture and belief that they are not regarded in Nigeria.

“The judgement passed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a welcome development because after a long time, the Judiciary has finally heeded to the yearning of our people concerning the injustice meted against Mazi Kanu for being on awaiting trial without justice and judgement.

“Today, there is judgement on that matter, and no matter how that judgement looks, there is room for appeal. Also, justice has been served,” he said.

Okpalaezeukwu, however, noted that the judgement has given the President the avenue and platform to proceed with granting Mazi Kanu pardon.

He said, “Now, political solution can be applied because it is not regular for a matter that is before the court to be decided outside the court. There couldn’t have been the possibility of a political solution or presidential pardon for a matter that is in court, yet to be decided.
“Therefore, the judgement is a welcome development, and we are not expecting any appeal because we have a strong belief that there will be a political solution.”

On the comportment of Kanu during trial and whether the right lessons have been learned, the Igbo youth leader noted that emotions are always unstable during such situations.

He acknowledged that Kanu is only a human being who is not immune to mistakes, noting that what is important is a political solution to the whole challenge which Ndigbo face.

On the fact that Kanu refused to open his defense during trial, Okpalaezeukwu said it has made the hope for a political solution more imminent.

“One of the viable ways to address the issue is to drift towards national healing for national security and peace. Healing comes first, because indeed there are wounds.

“We call the president under whose watch Nigeria is being tossed in the waves of so many challenges to brace for the challenge. We pray that God will make a way for Ndigbo in the matter and that the cause of the nation shall prevail.

“We call for absolute political solution to the hydraheaded socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria, and not limited to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,” he noted.