Kalu Seeks Political Solution After Nnamdi Kanu’s Life Sentence

The lawmaker representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called for a political solution to the legal battle involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kalu made the call while reacting to the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which convicted Kanu on terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former Abia State governor said resolving the IPOB leader’s matter through political engagement was the most viable path.

“The problem of Nnamdi Kanu is what we need to solve via a political process,” he said.
“I have been working with the Federal Government of Nigeria on how to solve this issue, and nobody should question the decision of Justice Omotosho.”

Kalu noted that Kanu’s lawyers were already preparing to approach the Court of Appeal, adding that he would personally reach out to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to guide the President on the matter.

According to him, a political intervention remains necessary despite the ruling of the trial court.

The senator lamented that the activities of the proscribed group had destroyed jobs and businesses across the South-East.

He said: “Several people have lost their jobs and sources of livelihood due to the activities of IPOB. Dozens of Igbo have been killed in the region. Nobody is talking about the Igbo who were killed.”

Kalu narrated how he exerted pressure on the then-President, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure Kanu’s release from detention in April 2017.

He acknowledged the contributions of Mamman Daura and the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in facilitating the earlier release.

“I know the pressure I personally put on President Buhari before he was released in April 2017,” he said.

The case against Kanu has lingered in court since 2015.

Last Thursday, Justice James Omotosho convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six.

The court also imposed 20 years’ imprisonment on Count Three, and five years on Count Seven, with no option of fine, all to run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, ruling that Kanu’s broadcasts ordering sit-at-home in the South-East amounted to terrorism.

The judge said the IPOB leader committed acts of terrorism by issuing threats that people would die and the world “would be at a standstill.”

Reacting to the verdict, a consultant to the IPOB leader, Aloy Ejimakor, vowed to challenge the life sentence at the appellate court.