Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment. The judgment was delivered on Thursday, nearly four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria.
Kanu was facing seven counts of terrorism-related charges. The judgment was handed down in his absence after he refused to appear in court, insisting that the ruling should not be delivered in his terrorism trial. During the proceedings, his behaviour reportedly became unruly, prompting the presiding judge to order security officials to remove him from the courtroom.
Justice Omotosho said that Kanu’s broadcasts on Radio Biafra amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric and intentions were focused on promoting violence. The judge also highlighted that Kanu’s sit-at-home orders in South-Eastern states were acts of terrorism, as they violated citizens’ freedom of movement.
The court emphasized that Kanu had no constitutional authority to direct people to stay at home. Evidence presented showed that his broadcasts included instructions that could lead to the killing of police and military personnel, which the court described as preparatory acts of terrorism.
Ultimately, Kanu was found guilty on all seven counts, despite his previous plea of not guilty. Justice Omotosho concluded that the IPOB leader had committed acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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