A 56-year-old man, Clinton Kanu, has said he will demand a N20bn compensation for spending 27 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.



Kanu, who was sentenced to death in 1992 for murder, was freed by the Supreme Court on April 5, 2019.

The Okigwe, Imo State-born consultant criminologist explained that though he made efforts to absolve himself from a gang-up that led to his incarceration, nobody was ready to listen to him until he was jailed.

While in prison, Kanu lost his mother; coupled with the fact that he was not married, he said he fought loneliness.

Kanu, who recounted the incident that led to his travail, said, “About 27 years ago, some people were accused of stealing a generator and fluorescent tubes; they were my in-laws.

“After a court decided the case, we suddenly heard that somebody was killed in the compound where my sister married. I was arrested because those behind my ordeal thought I was trying to resolve a land dispute in favour of one person.

“I was taken to the Okigwe Police Station and later transferred to Owerri, where I was charged to court in April 1992. I was detained in the Owerri prison. I was at the tribunal for seven years because those behind my ordeal included armed robbery to the case. They believed I was a strong man and wanted to tie me down.

“They brought false witnesses to testify against me at the tribunal. I was later taken to a regular court where I was condemned to death. From Owerri, I was transferred to the Port Harcourt prison. At the Port Harcourt prison, I waited for many years for the hangman’s noose.

“I went to the Appeal Court to appeal the case, but my lawyer messed it up. Then I decided to proceed to the Supreme Court, where after 27 years in prison, I was vindicated. I was detained for nothing for 27 years; I was discharged and acquitted on April 5, 2019.”



Speaking to our correspondent on Saturday, Kanu argued that he would demand N20bn compensation from the Federal Government and his state (Imo State) for the damage done to his business.

He also stated that he developed ill health due to the prison’s dirty environment, adding that with the help of his lawyer, he hoped to be well compensated.

“It seems as if everything collapsed on my head; I don’t know where to start from. My head is jam-packed with thoughts and I need to ask God to direct me. I really need help.

“I am considering asking for compensation from the Federal Government and my state. I want this legal parochialism and injustice to stop.

“When you talk about the damage done to my business and to my health, due to the prison’s dirty environment, and a lot of other things that have gone wrong, if I put my losses in billions, I don’t think it is out of place.

“The money is just to make me solve my problems and get back to normal life. I will ask for N20bn compensation,” Kanu said.

He thanked his church and some relatives who had been feeding and accommodating him since he left prison last Tuesday.

Source: https://punchng.com/man-wrongly-imprisoned-for-27-years-seeks-n20bn-compensation/

hmnnn

No amount of money can equate the injustice and incarceration of 27 years. The Police should gladly pay him the requested 20Billion Naira so that he can at least have quality of life for his remaining years on planet Earth
The payment should be made to him as a matter of urgency and not made to wait another 27 years before being compensated
Buhari should do the honourable thing and pay this man immediately. Then it will be imputed to him ( Buhari) as a compassionate listner

200b. Shd be more like it

Even if he wins this, our present government does not obey court order. He may actually not be paid anything. innocent man would have been killed for nothing.
Nigeria I hail thee.

Akobaa adaaba, Olorun maaje Karii ooh.. Amen

A good man.
Just like that

Eehya, most of your mates that are alive today has not made that kind of money since you got served

OK

20bn is even small

VERY GOOD

Well deserved

Those that bear false witness against this man will die a miserable death. 20billion naira can't equate 27 years in that stinking hole called prison. The FG should compensate him expeditiously....

that is how it should be.

Thought he said he is now a pastor and he has forgiven them

Lassandi:
No amount of money can equate the injustice and incarceration of 27 years. The Police should gladly pay him the requested 20Billion Naira so that he can at least have quality of life for his remaining years on planet Earth
The payment should be made to him as a matter of urgency and not made to wait another 27 years before being compensated
Buhari should do the honourable thing and pay this man immediately. Then it will be imputed to him ( Buhari) as a compassionate listner

Iffa hear....Buhari does not listen to anybody. Unless if he was a northerner, then he would have considered.

Just imagine, someone was jailed by wrong accusation for 27 freaky years

It is just impossible to maintain the balance of life sha. No injustice fashioned against me shall prosper.

That is about 2million for each day.

The Judge should have awarded him a reasonable compensation in the first place...

20bn gini??......oga u deserve more dan dat sef but if u see even 1m collect oo......tor no say i nor teh you.......nor be yankee we dey!!

The sad truth is that there are others like him scattered across the country.

I pray he obtains the redress that he seeks.

princeSammyz:
The Judge should have awarded him a reasonable compensation in the first place...

That's actually the standard, but you know our country naw.

He should be compensated but definitely not that 20bn!
Haba oga fear God na!

put a man's life on PAUSE for 27 whole years. God forbid.

KubwaBoy:
Thought he said he is now a pastor and he has forgiven them

so because of that he shouldn't get compensated for a crime he never commit

Lassandi:
No amount of money can equate the injustice and incarceration of 27 years. The Police should gladly pay him the requested 20Billion Naira so that he can at least have quality of life for his remaining years on planet Earth
The payment should be made to him as a matter of urgency and not made to wait another 27 years before being compensated
Buhari should do the honourable thing and pay this man immediately. Then it will be imputed to him ( Buhari) as a compassionate listner

..
Buhari get ear problems bro... Abi u don' forget..??

The judge had kushed enuf pawpaw leaves
See wetin davido cause
20bn
Not even 200m
U go old
Aypa sorry i meant u go oldest
Another 40years loading
Poor man no geh level
U feel say u na ncc
See billing


In cele bobos voice
Wan
One million times two billion is equals to what

He is being modest

shogsman:
That is about 2million for each day.

chai.