By Chidi Nkwopara
Owerri — The conviction and sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on terrorism charges has elicited mixed reactions across Owerri, with residents expressing a range of opinions on the Federal High Court ruling.
While discussions on the matter were observed in several parts of the municipality, only a few people spoke openly to journalists.
Chief Simeon Odike said he was not surprised by the judgment, noting the history of unresolved court rulings in Kanu’s favor. “Have we not lost count of the judgments in favor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu? Was any of the judgments obeyed? Has anybody paid him the monetary award for damages, ordered by competent courts of the land?” he asked. Odike added that despite appeals from prominent Igbo leaders, clerics, and at least 44 members of the National Assembly urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Kanu, the outcome remained unchanged.
Mr. Luke Okechukwu expressed sadness over the ruling, suggesting that a political solution could have provided peace rather than relying solely on the judicial process. “The court can give justice but definitely not peace, because they are two different things,” he said.
Mrs. Adaora Ike Okoro, reflecting on the case’s long history, recalled that the trial began in 2015 and that Kanu’s ancestral home was attacked by soldiers in 2017. She said the life imprisonment sentence was unsurprising for those who had followed the proceedings. “It is most interesting that the court session was streamed live by major national television stations,” she noted.
The reactions highlight the continuing debate surrounding the case and its implications for justice, politics, and peace in the region.
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