The Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) on Sunday condemned the life jail term handed down to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement,the IDC noted that while the court’s decision to uphold the rule of law, it criticized the inequitable and politically motivated judgment that failed to address broader issues of justice and self-determination in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that on November 20, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.
The charges brought against Kanu include terrorism, incitement to violence, and enforcement of sit-at-home orders.
Omotosho, while delivering the judgement restrained from death penalty, citing global shifts against capital punishment.
Kanu was however convicted of using broadcasts to incite violence as part of his campaign for establishment of the State of Biafra.
The prosecution had sought the death penalty, but the court opted for life imprisonment.
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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 position contextualized 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 views as a legacy of oppressive rulings against advocates for self-determination.
The Ijaw pressure group lamented the ongoing violence in Northern Nigeria, noting that despite numerous atrocities and links of some government officials to terrorism, comparable legal actions have not been taken against those persons, highlighting a disparity in justice.
Focusing on the broader struggle for political equity, the IDC framed Kanu’s fight not as isolated to the Igbo people but as part of a wider call from marginalized groups in the Niger Delta and Middle Belt for True Fiscal Federalism.
The IDC is advocating devolution of powers and resource control at local levels.
It argued that over-centralization of Nigeria’s security and governance undermines peace and fuels separatist agitations and violence.
It called for urgent reflection, a political solution, and the initiation of a National Conference to address Nigeria’s root structural challenges.
The IDC also expressed concern about internal divisions within the Igbos and warned that failure to engage politically and diplomatically could lead to increased volatility and insecurity in the South-East region.
The Ijaw group called for peaceful advocacy, 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 prioritize justice, dignity, and national unity.
The group called on President Tinubu’s administration to rebuild public trust through foresight and structural reforms, warning against ignoring the deep-seated grievances that risk further destabilizing Nigeria’s fragile federation.
The IDC’statement was signed by its leaders, Professor Mondy Selle Gold, Professor Edward Agbai, and Professor Emmanuel Tam Ezekiel-Hart.
The statement emphasized the importance of true federalism as the viable path for lasting peace and development in Nigeria.
According to 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.
