Opinion: Nnamdi Kanu Case has some Vices that beg clarity

Opinion: Nnamdi Kanu Case Has Some Vices That Beg Clarity

By Cyprian Edward-Ekpo

I have read with great regret about the conviction and sentencing of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu of Nigeria to life imprisonment, among other terms handed down by Hon. Justice Omotosho of the Nigerian Federal High Court .

I have always believed that the case of Nnamdi Kanu — both on technical grounds and on the merit, have some vices that beg clarity.

From different perspectives, I cannot help but express reservations about the jurisdiction of that court in undertaking the trial and how the conviction was made considering the criminal law principle requiring the meeting of actus reus (the physical act of committing a crime) and mens rea (the mental intent behind the act).
At what point did the two elements meet to establish the crime of terrorism? I may be wrong. But I strongly hold this question in mind.

I also can not help but express reservations about the court decision that any human rights that flow from international law are subservient to nations’ domestic laws, including the constitution of nations.
What happens to erga omnes principles of international law?

But in all these, a lesson which I would want everyone to learn is, the convict has appeared one of the most ignorant persons with a self inflated sense of knowledge — with arrogance and lack of wisdom of a gargantuan proportion.

I would not advise even the best prosecutorial lawyer to make a fool of himself by attempting to defend himself in criminal proceedings even in minor offenses, talk less of terrorism and reasonable felony that carry the risk of death and life sentences .

Why would a man who is not giving to foolhardiness remove his legal team, of course, some of them great legal minds and elect to deploy his emotional freak temperament to conduct criminal defense proceedings. Of course, the best lawyer who knows how legal proceedings work won’t even do that, as he would be wise enough to separate his emotional senses from the expertise of legal defense.

Whenever I take a look at things that happen in Nigeria , they appear burlesque, yet quite real.

May God help Nigeria and her citizenry.

~ Cyprian Edward-Ekpo

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