“I suspect foul play in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction”, Bello El-rufai reveals

Bello El-rufai son of former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-rufai, and the current representative of the Kaduna West Federal Consistency in the House of Representatives has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Nigeria’s justice system especially on the recent conviction and sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment by the Nigeria’s High Court.

Bello El-rufai who is the current chairman of the House committee on finance while speaking during the House of Representatives plenary, raised concerns over Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s life sentencing by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho.

Bello El-rufai argued that it appears the Nigeria’s justice system applies to individuals and groups differently. He cited the recent conviction of a known Boko Haram terrórist, Hussein Ismail who was sentenced to twenty years of imprisonment. According to him, if a convicted Boko Haram terrórist is sentenced to twenty years of imprisonment, why did the same court sentence Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on similar charges.

“It is wrong that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu got a life sentence while Boko Haram terrørist received 20 years in prison. Why is justice being served differently in Nigeria?” He said

The lawmaker further advocated for equity and justice for all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnicity, religion and political affiliation.

Bello El-rufai’s statement adds to the voices questioning the life sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Many political and legal  analysts have expressed their concerns over the manner justice James Kolawole Omotosho conducted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s trial and his sentencing. There are claims that Justice James Kolawole Omotosho did not follow due process in the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Nnamdi Kanu’s legal consultant, Alloy Ejimakor has disclosed that the judgement by justice James Kolawole Omotosho will be appealed. He explained that the trial was not fair and alleges that the judge erred by denying Mazi Nnamdi Kanu final written address as required by the Nigeria’s judicial process in criminal trial.

While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is set to appeal his conviction and sentencing, prominent Southeast political and religious leaders have called for president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in Kanu’s case. They argue that Kanu’s case is delicate and political and can only be resolved through political dialogue and not through the court process; hence, requires presidential intervention necessary for the peace and stability of the southeast region and beyond.

Recently, the current minister of state for foreign affairs, Bianca Ojukwu who is the wife of late Biafra warlord, appealed to all southeast political and religious leaders to unite and collectively demand for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the president.

Also, the former governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson a few days ago, urged president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He argued that such is necessary for return of normalcy in the southeast region. The former governor reminded the president about the case of Adaka Boro, a Niger Delta separatist who was sentenced to deàth but was granted pardon by the then military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon who he said prioritized the nation’s unity and progress over other kinds of sentiment