By Editorial Staff 
The former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, has called on aggrieved supporters of Nnamdi Kanu to stop abusing the trial judge, James Omotosho, for sentencing the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice Omotosho convicted the IPOB leader last week, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The pronouncement has triggered abuse and verbal attacks on the judge.
The presiding judge sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five, and six, opting against the death penalty.
He received a 20-year sentence for the third charge, which related to being part of a banned terrorist organisation, and another five years for the seventh charge concerning the illegal import of a radio communication device. Neither sentence allows for a monetary penalty as an alternative.
The court also ruled that his threats and the sit-at-home orders across the south-east region were terrorist acts under Nigerian law.
But speaking on Political Today on Channels TV, Kalu, a senator representing Abia North, said the pronouncement of the judge was based on evidence before him.
“Nobody should question the decision of Justice Omotosho. If you are displeased, you go to the appellate court. It’s not to start insulting the man,” Kalu said.
The former governor, who criticised Kanu for being “unruly and unnecessarily aggressive towards the judge,” stated that Kanu should appeal the judgement if he is displeased, stating that, “People might say it is good. Justice Omotosho is just a messenger of the court. It is his job.”
Kalu said the behaviour of Nnamdi Kanu is unfortunate and must be condemned by everyone. “We must condemn certain behaviours. You cannot rant in a court of competent jurisdiction. I take exception to it.”
Sharing his experience, the Abia senator said he never abused the judge who sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment.
“The other day, I saw the judge at the National Assembly when he came to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice. I embraced him and gave him all courtesy.”
Senator Kalu also said that the actions of the IPOB leader ignited killings of innocent people in the south-east, which, according to him, have claimed more than 30,000 lives and ruined livelihoods across the region.
Speaking on the havoc the actions of IPOB have caused the south-east region, he asked, “Do you know that over 30,000 Igbos were killed? People who have shops lost their businesses.
“I used to sell my own manufactured products in Aba. I know what the numbers were. But people are just talking about soldiers killed and not the rest of them.”
Proffering a solution, the former Abia governor said only a political solution can get the IPOB leader out of jail. “The problem of Nnamdi Kanu is what we need to solve through political process.”
He disclosed that he had been working with the Federal Government on how to solve the issue.
He admonished the Igbos to remove emotions from the case. “I want us to settle down, go on our knees and find a way that the man can be released. It’s part of my job to do it.”
IPOB, according to reports, has been moved from DSS custody to Sokoto Prisons.