Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
Allocutus is a formal statement made to a court by a convicted defendant, who has been found guilty, to ask for a lighter sentence before they are sentenced.
Kanu had earlier converted his counsel, Ejimakor, among others, to a consultant and was defending himself without counsel.
The court convicted the self-acclaimed leader of the IPOB for seven count charges, which carry punishments including a death sentence, jail term, and life imprisonment.
Justice Omotosho stated that after reading his judgment, Kanu should be given a chance to seek allocutus, saying, “he is our brother,” and he called on Ejimakor to seek allocutus on his behalf.
Speaking, Ejimakor, however, rejected the call, saying he is not properly dressed and he is currently not Kanu’s counsel.
“Being an officer in this Temple of Justice. I’m not being properly dressed and not being his counsel on record, I will yield this task to Honourable Obi Aguocha,” he said.
Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives, Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, Kanu’s constituency, asked the court to show mercy to the proscribed IPOB leader.
Aguocha stood before the court to make a personal appeal on behalf of Kanu, whom he described as a brother, friend, and constituent.
Introducing himself, he said, “My lord, I am the direct representative of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. That is why you see me here almost every time, showing presence and solidarity with him.”
Aguocha explained that he and Kanu attended primary and secondary school together, noting that despite being Kanu’s senior, he felt a personal responsibility to speak for him, especially in his capacity as a federal lawmaker.
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