You Can’t Query The Genuineness Of His Grievances, You Want Me To Celebrate His Conviction.

You Can’t Query The Genuineness Of His Grievances, You Want Me To Celebrate His Conviction.

You Can’t Query The Genuineness Of His Grievances, You Want Me To Celebrate His Conviction.

Social critic and legal expert Dele Farotimi has offered a forceful critique concerning the life imprisonment handed down to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). While discussing the issue during a broadcast on his YouTube channel, Farotimi raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the ruling and Nigeria’s application of justice in varying criminal cases.

Farotimi maintained that the principle of justice requires uniformity, applying equally to every person irrespective of their origin, personal views, or ethnic group. He drew a sharp contrast between Kanu’s severe sentence and the penalties imposed on other dangerous offenders, citing the case of an ISWAP commander who, despite being responsible for numerous deaths, was given a less punitive jail term. He found it illogical that an individual primarily accused of making inflammatory remarks would face a harsher penalty than those directly involved in physical violence and loss of life.

He further highlighted the inconsistency where certain individuals implicated in extreme violence have been granted state pardons or even integrated into the nation’s security apparatus after claiming remorse. Farotimi asserted that such differing standards significantly erode public faith in the impartial operation of the judicial system.

While making it clear that he does not necessarily endorse Kanu’s specific approaches, Farotimi strongly argued that the core issues Kanu raises—such as feelings of being marginalized and discontent with poor governance—cannot be ignored. He believes these underlying grievances are legitimate and resonate deeply with many citizens across the country.

Farotimi concluded that it is unreasonable to expect him to support or celebrate Kanu’s conviction when other perpetrators of far more egregious crimes are being handled with undeserved leniency. He stated, “You cannot query the genuineness of his grievances, but you want me to celebrate his conviction, when those who have done worse are being treated like sacred cows.”