Key Points
- Ejimakor says courts cannot change a person’s true status. He compared Kanu to Mandela to make his point.
- El-Rufai criticised differing prison terms given to security convicts. He warned that such gaps could fuel public distrust.
- He pressed for state policing and better officer welfare. He asked lawmakers to set strict timelines for reform.
Aloy Ejimakor says Nnamdi Kanu is not a terrorist despite the court label. He posted the comment on X while praising Bello El-Rufai’s stance.
Ejimakor noted that Mandela was once called a terrorist and later vindicated. He said Kanu will also ‘triumph’ as appeals proceed and lawyers act. See court convicts Nnamdi Kanu for the judges’ ruling and related counts.
El-Rufai faults sentence gaps
Hon Bello El-Rufai told lawmakers he did not understand the sentence gap. He said a Boko Haram convict got twenty years while Kanu got life.
He warned that unequal punishments could deepen insecurity and distrust. He argued Nigeria’s problem is enforcing plans not drafting them.
El-Rufai urged lawmakers to enable state police and improve officer welfare. That appeal came with calls for elders to mediate the matter and calm tensions.
El-Rufai backed President Tinubu’s security plan while urging swift action. He said lawmakers must set strict deadlines and fund officers properly.
Ejimakor said lawyers will appeal and pursue legal channels quickly. The debate highlights public worry over fairness in high-profile trials.
Ejimakor said Mandela’s case shows law can change over time. He urged Nigerians to await appeals and avoid hasty judgements.
El-Rufai cited policing ratios, saying one officer handles about six hundred citizens. He compared that to UN standards which call for far fewer people.
He asked for better pay and training to boost police morale and performance. See Sheikh Gumi offers to champion release for a religious leader’s pledge to mediate in the week that followed.
Human rights groups warned against labels that could harm reconciliation efforts. They urged courts to explain verdicts fully and allow transparent review.
The Federal government has defended its approach to security and prosecutions. Officials say law must be upheld while investigations continue across regions.
For now legal teams prepare appeals and public arguments will keep running. The debate over fair sentences and police reform is likely to intensify.
Some lawmakers also asked for clearer evidence handling rules in court. They want timelines to speed up trials and reduce delays.
Citizens followed the debates online with worry and heated comments. Many urged calm while awaiting appeals and fuller court explanations.
Observers say this moment will test Nigeria’s legal fairness and trust. How lawmakers act on policing may shape security reforms long term
