Following the judgment delivered against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, High Chief Uche Akwukwaegbu (Bawas), has expressed deep dissatisfaction, describing the ruling as one that has left the Ibeku community in a sombre mood.
Chief Akwukwaegbu, who also serves as the President of the Traditional Prime Ministers Council, said the sentencing of Kanu amounts to an indictment of the entire Igbo race.
Speaking with Newsmen at his residence in Umuahia, shortly after the meeting of council of traditional prime ministers, High Chief Akwukwaegbu lamented that while various acts of terrorism continue across other parts of the country, perpetrators, including notorious bandits, still move freely without confrontation from authorities.
He referenced the recent attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State as an example of violent crimes that have gone unpunished, insisting that the disparity in the treatment of offenders is troubling.
“Nnamdi Kanu is our brother, and we are not happy about the judgment”, he said.
Chief Akwukwaegbu revealed that the council of traditional prime ministers had convened for the first time in months to discuss welfare issues and future plans, only to have their deliberations overshadowed by the news of Kanu’s judgment. “We had already fixed this meeting as our end of the year meeting, but due to the judgement, we couldn’t do much. The judgment affected us”, he stated, noting that their end-of-year meeting was held in a low-key manner out of concern and disappointment.
He stressed that the ruling is not final and that there are legal steps available, including advancing the case to the Appeal Court and drawing the attention of international communities to the matter.
However, the TPM noted that banditry continues to be shielded across the country despite the alarming rate of killings, while Nnamdi Kanu is being handed a life sentence merely for leading the Biafra struggle. He described the judgement as a calculated attempt to indict the Igbo race.
In reaction to what could be considered a positive way forward, Chief Akwukwaegbu explained, “Federal High Court is not the last court. Before seeking political solutions , we must go to the Appeal Court, and even appeal to international communities. When all these avenues are exhausted, we will know how to cross the other bridge,” he said.
Chief Akwukwaegbu further maintained that as a Nigerian and an Ibeku son, he remains unhappy with the judgment and the broader implications it carries for the Igbo people.
