Aloy Ejimakor, the legal consultant to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has made a startling revelation about Nnamdi Kanu's recent terrorism conviction, stating that no amount of legal representation could have altered the court's decision.
No Legal Team Could Change Outcome
During an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief programme on Monday, Ejimakor dismissed suggestions that stronger legal representation might have changed the verdict against the proscribed IPOB leader. "I don't believe one million lawyers standing behind Nnamdi Kanu would have changed the outcome of the case," he declared emphatically.
The legal consultant expressed his disagreement with the judgment while acknowledging the court's authority. He argued that the evidence presented during the trial failed to clearly connect Kanu's broadcasts to the violence that has plagued Nigeria's South-East region.
Questioning the Evidence
Ejimakor elaborated on his position, stating: "The deed is done. I disagree with the conviction, the verdict, and the sentence, but the judge might have believed he had sufficient evidence." He further questioned the logical connection between the broadcasts and ongoing violence, asking: "I did not see a clear connection between the broadcasts and the violence that claimed many lives. The violence continues today. Is it still the broadcasts?"
Historical Comparisons Drawn
Drawing parallels with historic cases involving prominent public figures, Ejimakor suggested a similar pattern surrounded Kanu's prosecution. He referenced biblical and political precedents to illustrate his point.
"The people who brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate had already made up their minds," he noted, adding that "Nelson Mandela was not tied to violence in South Africa, but was convicted anyway. No weapon was found. His personality was considered a threat."
He also referenced Nigerian political history, stating: "Awolowo was convicted of attempting to overthrow the government, yet he was a civilian. No evidence showed he had the means or opportunity."
While careful not to directly accuse the presiding judge of bias, Ejimakor asserted that "it was palpable that the system was determined to see him convicted. It started the day he was seized in Kenya."
The legal consultant's comments come after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Kanu on seven counts of terrorism last Thursday and sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment.
