Kanu’s Life Sentence: ‘Entire Igbo Race Imprisoned,’ Says Wabara

Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara has issued a stinging condemnation of the life imprisonment sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, declaring the verdict a severe miscarriage of justice that targets an entire ethnic group. Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

Reacting swiftly to the judgment, Wabara did not mince words, describing the ruling as unjust and arguing that its impact extends far beyond the individual defendant. He passionately asserted that the sentence was “not Kanu alone, but the entire Igbo race that they have imprisoned for life.” This powerful statement frames the judicial decision not as a verdict on a single activist, but as an institutional judgment against the Igbos.

The former Senate President expressed profound shock and disillusionment over the perceived double standard in the Nigerian judicial system. He highlighted a recent and contrasting ruling, noting that a Boko Haram leader had been sentenced to just five years in prison 24 hours earlier, while Kanu—whom Wabara described as a “non-violent activist”—received a life sentence.

Wabara firmly insisted that Kanu should not be classified as a terrorist but rather as a freedom fighter who is legitimately advocating against what he perceives as widespread injustice directed toward the Igbo people. He stressed his belief that “The law they apply for the Igbos is not the same as for other Nigerians.” This statement directly challenges the neutrality and equity of the country’s legal and security responses.

Further drawing a stark comparison, Wabara criticized the current government policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating what he called “the real terrorists”, while members of the IPOB—whom he characterized as “peaceful”—face “harsh sentencing for legitimate demands.”

Despite his severe criticism of the current judgment, Wabara expressed hope for a legal reversal. He confirmed that the verdict would be appealed and voiced confidence in the possibility of securing a favorable outcome at either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, signaling that the legal battle for Kanu’s freedom is far from over.