Umuahia Monarchs: Kanu is Our Crown Prince, Not a Terrorist

The ancient kingdom of Umuahia North Local Government Area in Abia State has spoken out forcefully against the recent judicial decision that sentenced their son, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism. In a unified statement, the traditional rulers and custodians of the kingdom unequivocally rejected the court’s verdict, insisting that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is their Crown Prince and a legitimate freedom fighter, not a terrorist.

The monarchs, whose statement was released to journalists on Friday and signed by key figures including Eze Innocent Adiele Nwaigwe, Chairman of the Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council, asserted that Kanu has consistently used his platform to speak against the deep-seated injustice and marginalization experienced by his people.

“For over a decade, our son has stood before the courts of this nation, enduring trials, detentions, and unimaginable hardships,” the traditional leaders declared. They continued that the “deeply painful” recent judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho does not in any way “erase what we know in truth: that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not a terrorist.”

The statement emphasized that the community remains convinced of Kanu’s innocence regarding the charges brought against him. The monarchs stressed that the life sentence pronounced by the court “do not diminish his spirit, nor do they extinguish the hope of millions who believe in justice, fairness, and the rule of law.” They noted that while justice may sometimes be slow, they trust that the wheels of the legal process will ultimately grind toward the truth, pointing out that Kanu retains the full legal and constitutional right to appeal the judgment up to the Supreme Court.

In a plea that transcends the judicial process, the traditional rulers renewed their call upon President Bola Tinubu to exercise the prerogative of mercy vested in his office by granting a presidential pardon to the IPOB leader. They believe such a political intervention is essential for national healing and reconciliation.

Acknowledging the deep pain the judgment has caused, particularly among the youths of Umuahia North, the monarchs simultaneously appealed for peace, restraint, and calm, urging the younger generation not to resort to self-help or take the law into their own hands in expressing their grief and frustration. Their dual message seeks to affirm Kanu’s identity as a figure of liberation while actively working to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the region.