CSO hails Kanu’s conviction, says judgment strengthens fight against terrorism
A civil society organization, the Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) has commended the judiciary for what it described as a courageous and thorough judgment in the conviction and sentencing of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on all seven counts of terrorism.
In a statement on Thursday signed by its executive director, Nelson Ekujumi, the organisation said the ruling, which classified Kanu as an international terrorist, represents “a victory in the war against terrorism for Nigeria.”
CSER disclosed it had watched with concern the persistent attempts by some individuals and groups to present IPOB as a freedom-fighting organisation despite what it called “incontrovertible atrocities, including killings, maiming of innocent Nigerians, and destruction of public and private property, particularly in the South-East.”
The group noted that since 2015, Kanu had repeatedly employed various tactics to frustrate his trial, including what it described as “frivolous and vexatious petitions,” culminating in his conduct in court on Thursday, which led to the trial judge ordering his removal from the courtroom.
CSER commended the judiciary for maintaining professionalism throughout the trial despite what it called provocations and disruptions by Kanu and members of his legal team.
The organisation praised Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for his patience, diligence and firmness in handling the terrorism case, saying the judgment delivered justice to victims of violence linked to Kanu, including incidents in the South-East and the unrest recorded in Lagos during the 2020 EndSARS protests.
The group added that with the conviction of Kanu, the recent sentencing of ISWAP commander Husseni Ismaila, and earlier judgments against other terror suspects, the Nigerian government is sending a clear message of its determination to defeat terrorism within the rule of law.
“The Nigerian State is hereby sending a clear message to the world that its war against terrorism will be aggressively waged and won within the ambit of the law, no matter how long it takes,” the statement concluded.
