Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, finally handed down life jail to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, after convicting him on terrorism charges.

Th sentence came within hours after prosecution counsel Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had demanded death penalty for the accused, saying that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu incited militants into violent activities that led to loss of lives.

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During the second session of the court and after a recess, member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, who pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.

Earlier, Chief Awomolo argued that that Kanu’s incited IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to carry out actions that led to the death of several security operatives and the destruction of public property, urging the judge to impose maximum sentence to placate those affected by Kanu’s actions.

He told the judge that five of the seven charges pressed against Kanu carry death penalty while the remaining two carry short jail terms.

In addressing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as convict, Chief Awomolo reminded the judge that terrorist acts were committed against Nigerians that reside in the South East parts of the country, adding that failed during the 10 years of prosecution to sympathize with victims of violence.

He also pleaded with the judge to confiscate all propertied and equipment seized from Nnamdi Kanu, adding he kept in highly isolated detention facility without any means of communication.

Before handing down the sentence, Justice Omotosho accused Kanu of being rude, unruly, disrespectful to the court and disruptive to the proceedings of the court.

Lawyers who spoke to our correspondents noted that both the prosecution and the judge may have failed to factor in the likelihood that Kanu, who has been in custody of the DSS since June 2021, might be depressed, traumatized and psychologically unbalanced

Others argue that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s observed behaviors might be signals for the authorities to evaluate his mental wellbeing ahead and during the trial.

Our correspondent gathered that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team are currently working to the judgment of Justice Omotosho “on the grounds of appeal.”