These are not the best of times for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as the Federal Government on Thursday requested the death sentence following his conviction.
The federal government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked the court to give Nnamdi Kanu the maximum punishment after he was found guilty on all seven terrorism charges.
Awomolo claimed that Kanu’s statements led to the deaths of several security officers and the destruction of public property. He also accused IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), of actions aimed at destabilising the country. According to him, the only way to ensure justice for the victims is to impose the highest possible sentence.
He explained that counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 carry the death penalty, count 3 carries 20 years in prison, and count 7 carries five years. He urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offences, saying Kanu showed no remorse and behaved arrogantly during the trial.
The federal government also asked the court to confiscate all seized broadcast equipment and to ban Kanu from using digital devices or the internet during his sentence. For security reasons, they requested that he should not be kept at Kuje prison, which has experienced jail breaks in the past.
Before the court adjourned until 4:10 pm for sentencing, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives, pleaded for the court to show mercy.
The judgement brings an end to Kanu’s trial, which lasted more than 10 years.
