Traditional rulers in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have distanced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from the terrorism tag placed on him by the Federal Government.
The monarchs were reacting to the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.
The judge ruled that, based on evidence presented by the prosecution, the IPOB leader was a terrorist.
However, the traditional rulers told reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, that Kanu is an illustrious son of the area and the Crown Prince of Isiama Afaraukwu-Ibeku community.
They maintained that, contrary to the court’s findings, Kanu is not a terrorist but a freedom advocate who has consistently spoken out against alleged injustice and marginalisation of the people of the Southeast and other regions of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Chairman Eze Innocent Adiele Nwaigwe; Secretary Eze Chiabuotu Emelike; and Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe and Eze Eddy Ibeabuchi, the monarchs said: “For over a decade, our son has stood before the courts of this nation, enduring trials, detentions, and unimaginable hardships.”
