The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed the Federal High Court’s sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment, describing it as a “travesty of justice” that undermines Nigeria’s constitutional guarantee of fair hearing.
In a strongly worded statement, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA National Coordinator accused Justice James Omotosho of ignoring key legal and constitutional issues raised by the IPOB leader, including his objection that he was being tried under a repealed counter-terrorism law and that the court lacked jurisdiction while related appeals were still pending.
“The court’s rush to judgment, despite pending appeals and repeated objections by the defendant, is a clear example of judicial haste and avoidance of due process,” the rights group said. It also criticized the court for dismissing Kanu’s defense, noting that he had consistently maintained he could not proceed until the legality of the charges was resolved.
HURIWA stressed that Nigerian law requires courts to first resolve questions of jurisdiction and competence before delivering judgment. Proceeding under an inoperative law, the association said, violated established judicial authorities and Section 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees every defendant the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense.
The group also rejected the court’s assertion that Kanu deliberately refused to defend himself, calling the claim misleading. HURIWA described the ruling as “fundamentally defective” and urged the National Judicial Council to review the proceedings.
Finally, the organization called on the Court of Appeal to overturn the judgment, arguing that the decision offends both the law and the conscience of the nation.
Onwubiko emphasized that “justice delayed is better than justice denied, but in this case, both law and fairness were ignored.”