ANCESTORY Speech
...MY HANDS ARE TIED...
Justice George Sodehinde Sowemimo

THE SPEECH THAT SENTENCED AWO TO PRISON ,September 11,1963

The Trial Judge Mr. Sodehinde Sowemimo speaks:

"….Whatever others may say, this is my personal view. I am not speaking as a judge but as a Nigerian. Here we have one of the first Premiers of the autonomous region standing trial. If you were the only one before me, I would have felt that it was enough for you to have undergone the strain of the trial. I would have asked you to go. But I am sorry, I cannot do so now because my hands are tied.

Having sentenced those young chaps whatever happens I have to pass some sort of sentence. If I made up my mind to sentence the other accused persons who I find were tools in the hands of others, and if my conclusion is right, it is for me to see that a punishment by me in my court is such that others would see that there is no preferential treatment.

I do not see what useful purpose a sentence of imprisonment will do to you, but I have come to the conclusion that these things emanate from you. To get yourself involved in this thing is enough shame.

But this is a political crime. There are things which one may never know. All I know is what is before me and I am bound by the evidence. You mentioned about the delay in giving judgement, but I wish you were in my position and had to read some of these things – the evidence which was about 800 pages and the notes of submissions also about 600 pages. I was never hoping or thinking that I would be called upon to try a former Head of Government and Leader of Opposition. I am only happy that this is a court of first instance. "

At the conclusion of the speech by Justice Sowemimo, Chief Awolowo was sentenced as follows:

1st Count – 10 years I.H.L (Imprisonment with Hard Labour) Treasonable felony, contrary to Section 41(b) of the Criminal Code.

2nd Count – 5 years I.H.L (Imprisonment with Hard Labour) Conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code.

3rd Count – 2 years I.H.L (Imprisonment with Hard Labour) Conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, contrary to Section 518 (6) of the Criminal Code.

Sentences to be concurrent."

Awolowo along with other members of Action Group (AG) Party including Dr Chike Obi, Joseph Tarka, Chief Alfred Rewane and Victor Olabisi Onabanjo were arrested and put on trial. Chief Anthony Enahoro was in the UK at the time but he was also eventually extradited to Nigeria where he was tried and convicted of treason.



The accused were …….

Chief Obafemi AwolowoGabby Shasore Dr Chike Obi
Mr Joseph TarkaMr Tunde AmuwoMr Muri Badmus


Mr Simeon OyeshileMr S.T. OredeinMr Sebastian James Umoren
Mr Lateef JakandeMr Joshua AkamoMr Josiah Olawoyin
Mr SunboJibowuMr. Ayo AkinsanyaMr Anomuogharin Okotie- Yesin
Mr Sunday EbietomaMr. G Ekwejunor EtchieMr Uzodinma Nwaobiala


Chief Alfred Rewane Mr Samuel OnitiriMr. Adeyiga Akinsanya
Mr Samuel OtubanjoMr. Michael Omisade
After a 10-month trial, with a total of 95 witnesses, 383 exhibits examined. Judge Sowemimo delivered an 8-hour judgment.



The Out Come of the Prison Sentence:

Chief Obafemi Awolowo :10 years

Chief Anthony Enahoro – 15 years

Mr. Ayo Akinsanyo – 7 years

Mr. Sunday Ebietoma – 7 years

Mr. Lateef Jakande – 7 years

Mr. Anomuogharan Okotie – Yesin – 7 years

Mr. Michael Omisade – 7 years

Mr. Uzodinma Nwaobiala 5 years

Mr. Samuel Onitiri – 5 years

Mr. Gabby Shasore – 5 years

Mr. Joshua Akamo – 5 years

Mr. Adeyiga Akinsanya – 3 years

Mr. Josiah Olawoyin – 3 years

Mr. Simeon Oyeshile – 3 years

Mr. Sebastian James Umoren 3 years

Mr. Sunbo Jibowu – 2 years

Chief S. T Oredein – 2 year

Mr. Samuel Otubanjo – 2 years

Mr. Tunde Amuwo – Discharged

Mr. Joseph Tarka – Discharged

Chief Alfred Rewane

Mr. Victor Olabisi Onabanjo

Dr Chike Obi

Chief G. Ekwejunor-Etchie

Mr. Muri Badmus
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