Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Abia residents have described the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as one that did not follow laid-down judicial rules.
Speaking after Justice James Omotosho’s judgment, a public servant in Umuahia, the state capital, Chidiebere Madu, said
“The judge, to the best of my knowledge, did not play to the rules of the game; he had, from the beginning of the case, shown the impression that he was out to convict Nnamdi Kanu.
“So, nobody is surprised at the outcome of the verdict because we knew it was predetermined.”
Okorie Mba from Umuhu-Ezechi in Bende Local Government Area described Omotosho’s conviction of Kanu as a script written somewhere and given to the judge to deliver.
Okorie said it was unfortunate the judge could convict Kanu on charges that have no place in the nation’s statute books.
“Justice Omotosho, I must say, was biased in the ruling. In fact, right from the beginning of the case, he did not fail to show where he was heading to.”
Okorie urged President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu unconditionally without delay for justice and peace to reign.
Ibe Okoroafor from Umuahia expressed sadness over the ruling, although he said he did not expect anything less from the judge.
“Justice Omotosho linked the killing of Gulak with Nnamdi Kanu. The question is: where was Kanu when Gulak was killed?
“The judge was at all costs looking for where to hold on to convict Kanu to please his masters, and he found one in the killing of Gulak.
“All I know is that they must release Kanu because he did not commit any crime. If Sunday Igboho should be walking around the streets, Kanu should also be allowed to move about freely,” Okoroafor said.
