Nnamdi Kanu: Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemns life sentence, insists on political solution

... As Kanu is moved to Sokoto Prisons

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has criticised the life sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous  People  of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by Justice James Omotosho, describing the judgment as deeply troubling and potentially destabilizing for the country.
The umbrella association of Igbo sociocultural unions spoke  in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu. It then appealed for calm, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to evolve political solution to development,  as the only viable path to peace and national reconciliation.
Chukwu quoted the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, as noting that the Igbo nation is “deeply disappointed” by the sentence and concerned about what many perceive to be a pattern of discriminatory treatment in Kanu’s case.
The statement read in part, “Beyond the legal questions, the Igbo nation is deeply troubled by the pattern of harsh treatment meted out in this case, which many perceive as reflective of ethnic bias. This perception erodes trust in national institutions and touches directly on the dignity and integrity of the Igbo people.
“His (Kanu's) incarceration has become a flashpoint for unrest, frustration and youth radicalization. Continued hardline responses will only deepen instability... 
“In the interest of national unity, peace and equity, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a political solution. Dialogue, not maximal punishment, offers the best path toward healing longstanding grievances, restoring calm in the Southeast and advancing true national reconciliation.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Only justice anchored on fairness, sensitivity and inclusiveness can preserve the unity we all desire." 
Ohanaeze also warned that insecurity in the Southeast continues to worsen, noting that Kanu’s prolonged incarceration has become a major driver of unrest and youth frustration in the region.
Delivering it's  judgement on Thursday, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Omotosho, had, apart from sentencing Kanu to life imprisonment, ruled that the Department of State Services, DSS, could move the IPOB leader to any correctional facility within the country.
On Friday, Kanu’s legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, announced the relocation of Kanu to Sokoto Prisons, thus fueling speculations that the Federal Government, had a hidden agenda over the agitators life.
Kanu's legal consultant stated, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just been moved from DSS Abuja to the correctional facility (prison) in Sokoto; so far away from his lawyers, family, loved ones and well-wishers.”
Justice Omotosho had convicted Kanu on seven-count charge of terrorism.
The judge upheld the allegations of the DSS that Kanu employed terrorism in his agitation calling for the secession of South-Eastern, South South states and some parts of Benue and Kogi from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Following the conviction, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to impose the stiffest death penalty provided in three of the seven-count charges because there was no room for the court’s discretion on them.
He further requested that Kanu’s digital media devices and accounts be closed.