IPOB Accuses Judge Of Bias In Kanu’s Life Sentence

The Indigenous People of Biafra has accused Justice James Omotosho of giving a life sentence to Nnamdi Kanu under alleged influence of bribery and a promised promotion.

The group made the claim in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, saying it received information from an unnamed insider linking the judgment to monetary offers and a planned elevation to the Court of Appeal.

The accusation comes after Justice Omotosho delivered the ruling at the Federal High Court, a decision IPOB described as tainted by prejudice. The group said the judge’s behaviour during the trial raised concerns, arguing that he acted more like a prosecutor than an independent arbiter. It also accused senior lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo of adopting the same posture.

IPOB said Kanu repeatedly asked the court to present the specific written law used to justify the charges against him, but claimed neither the judge nor the prosecution provided it. The group insisted that the conviction was built on a law it considered nullified and outside the constitution.

It argued that neither Kanu nor the group violated any Nigerian or international laws and alleged that the case exposed deep corruption in the judiciary. IPOB pointed to past promotions granted to judges involved in rulings against Kanu as further examples of what it believes is a pattern of reward for compliance.

The group warned that the ruling could open the door to abuses such as extraordinary rendition, unlawful abductions, and the application of non-existent laws against citizens. It said allowing the conviction to stand would give the government unchecked power over defendants.

IPOB called on the Nigerian Judicial Council, international judicial institutions, and the International Criminal Court to investigate Justice Omotosho’s conduct. It said it is ready to present what it described as proof of bias and argued that the judgment reflects a broader crisis within the justice system.