Representative of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obi Aguocha, has condemned the conviction and sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as “a travesty of justice” and insisting he expected the verdict because the government “was never willing to listen to pleas for intervention.”
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday after spending the entire day in court, Aguocha said he stayed with Kanu throughout the proceedings because “I represent him directly… we grew up together… and it is my responsibility to speak for him, whether right or wrong, especially in matters of criminal justice.”
Aguocha said he was not surprised by the conviction on all seven terrorism counts, arguing that “there was a rush to judgment” and that “whether we put up a defence or not, they would have arrived at the same conclusion.”
He added: “The government was dismissive and insensitive to pleas. That is why I expected today’s outcome.”
The lawmaker rejected claims that Kanu behaved arrogantly during trial, insisting his reactions were the consequence of prolonged confinement.
“If you have been put in solitary confinement for almost ten years, who would not react the way he did?” he said.
He argued that Kanu’s legal team frequently struggled to gain access to him:
“There were times they were not allowed to see their client to plan his defence. It was one level of frustration after another.”
Aguocha said he was shocked when Kanu dismissed his lawyers, noting:
“Most of us came to court that day surprised. He didn’t tell me beforehand. But whether he had a defence team or not, the judgment would have been the same.”
With a 90-day window for appeal now open, Aguocha urged residents of the Southeast to remain calm.
“I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and see people disrupting public services or burning houses. Those things are not necessary,”he said.
“Please remain calm and allow the court process to run from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.”
He stressed that the Southeast must not become vulnerable following the conviction:
“Nobody should think that because Nnamdi Kanu is jailed, the Southeast is porous. We will defend our farmlands, our women, our children, our institutions, and our homeland.”
Aguocha insisted Kanu’s actions were rooted in defending his people:
“The judge himself acknowledged that he was trying to help his people. Nnamdi Kanu’s crime was about defending his people or seeking the right to self-determination. There is nothing wrong with that.”
He maintained that a political settlement remains the most sustainable pathway:
“If we had found a political solution earlier, we would have removed him as a factor and exposed those hiding behind his detention to commit crimes.”
Reacting to comments made earlier in the day at a US Congressional hearing describing the conviction as “a travesty of justice,” Aguocha agreed:
“It is a travesty of justice — and coming from the US Congress, that is significant. The international community is watching very closely.”
Aguocha said he will continue supporting Kanu, stating:
“I’m staying till the last dog dies. He is my constituent, and I will encourage him to continue seeking constitutional means to get justice.”
He ended with an appeal:
“To our people everywhere, remain calm. Do not destroy your own property. Justice is not lost. Through the appellate court, Nnamdi Kanu will receive the justice he seeks.”
Boluwatife Enome
