By Sunny A. David, Awka
The South East Amalgamated Markets Traders Association (SEAMATA), the umbrella body representing traders across the five South-East States as well as Igbo traders nationwide and in the diaspora, has strongly condemned the life sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, a ruling SEAMATA described as shocking and unjust.
In a statement issued after the association’s general meeting in Enugu on Monday, November 24, 2025, President General Chief Emeka Emechebe said the verdict amounted to a “miscarriage of justice.”
The association noted that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously discharged and acquitted Kanu of terrorism charges on October 13, 2022. Despite that judgment, Kanu remained in custody until last week’s conviction.
SEAMATA expressed alarm that the new sentence was delivered based on a law they claimed had long been repealed, calling the development “a travesty of justice.”
The Group also recalled the efforts of several prominent Igbo elder statesmen including former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, the late Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; the late Chief Mbazulike Amechi; and renowned constitutional lawyer, the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) who had all appealed to former President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a political solution to Kanu’s case, though their appeals were unsuccessful before their passing.
SEAMATA urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke the prerogative of mercy and pursue a political settlement that would secure Kanu’s release. Such a step, they said, would help stabilise the region, reduce insecurity, and address rising youth agitation in the South-East.
The traders also called on South-East Governors to join in advocating for justice and a peaceful resolution.
“We are anxiously expecting a positive and gracious consideration of our humble request from our ever-listening President,” the statement concluded.
