Category: News

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment. The sentence was delivered in Kanu’s absence, as he had refused to attend the hearing, insisting that the court should not proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government. Kanu had been convicted on seven counts of terrorism, which included inciting violence, issuing illegal stay-at-home orders in the South-East, instructing the making of explosives targeting government facilities, and membership of a proscribed organization. The court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, based on compelling evidence presented during the trial. The Federal Government had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, which allows for either the death penalty or life imprisonment for the offences for which Kanu was convicted. Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s conviction was supported by uncontested evidence, including videos and recordings of his broadcasts in which he incited violence and threatened lives in pursuit of the secession of Biafra from Nigeria. The life imprisonment sentence marks a significant development in the government’s prosecution of Kanu and the activities of IPOB, highlighting the legal consequences for terrorism, incitement, and actions that threaten national security. The judgement reinforces the court’s stance on safeguarding public safety and upholding the law against members of proscribed organizations.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu guilty of terrorism and being a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice James Omotosho, who had earlier removed Kanu from the courtroom for unruly behaviour during Thursday’s proceedings, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Kanu has now been convicted on six of the seven counts brought against him by the Federal Government. The court held that Kanu carried out terrorist acts, issued illegal stay-at-home orders in the South-east for years, incited violence, instructed people to make bombs targeting government facilities, and maintained membership in a terrorist organisation. Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu had made several broadcasts threatening the federal government and citizens, aiming to achieve Biafra’s independence through violence. “The defendant knew what he was doing while making these violent threats. He was bent on achieving his objective with violence and did not mind if his own people died,” the judge said. The court cited multiple pieces of evidence, including a video from the Third World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles, USA, where Kanu called for violence despite participants urging peaceful dialogue. Other broadcasts during the EndSARS protests in October 2020 were also highlighted, in which he encouraged listeners to burn government facilities and attack security officers and their families. Justice Omotosho emphasized that Kanu’s words were not mere rhetoric, noting the real-world consequences of his incitement: 128 police officers, 37 military officers, and 10 other security personnel were killed, 164 police stations and nine INEC offices were destroyed. “There is no doubt the incitement contributed to the killing of security operatives and destruction of police stations,” he said. The judge described Kanu as having “an evil intention to wreak havoc on the people and government of Nigeria,” calling him “an international terrorist” for directing attacks against foreign embassies, including the British High Commission. Kanu’s broadcasts commanding stay-at-home orders in the South-east, inciting the Eastern Security Network to attack government forces, and professing membership in IPOB after it was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in 2017 were also cited. The court ruled these actions constituted terrorism and confirmed his membership in a banned terrorist group. Justice Omotosho further noted that Kanu failed to mount any defence despite repeated opportunities. He described the prosecution’s evidence as “uncontroverted.” The sentence has not yet been pronounced as the judge continues reading the full judgement.