Court Sentences IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment for Terrorism
“The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after a ten-year terrorism trial. Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts and sit-at-home directives constituted acts of terrorism.”
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment, marking the end of a decade-long trial.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho recalled that Kanu was arrested in Kenya under what he described as “contentious circumstances” and returned to Nigeria four years ago. The IPOB leader was subsequently arraigned on seven counts bordering on terrorism.
The court delivered the judgment in Kanu’s absence after he insisted that the verdict would not stand in the terrorism suit filed against him by the Federal Government. His refusal to allow proceedings reportedly led to a dramatic scene in the courtroom, prompting the judge to order security operatives to “bundle him out” for what was termed “unruly behaviour.”
Justice Omotosho held that several broadcasts made by Kanu on Radio Biafra amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric was anchored on “violence and incitement.” He further declared that Kanu’s order directing residents of the South-East to observe sit-at-home constituted a terrorist act and violated the citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of movement.
“The defendant lacked the constitutional authority to impose any sit-at-home directive on the people,” the judge ruled.
According to the court, evidence presented during the trial showed that Kanu used his broadcasts to issue directives that allegedly encouraged the killing of police and military personnel, which the judge described as “preparatory acts of terrorism.”
Justice Omotosho held that the IPOB leader was guilty of committing acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subsequently convicted him on all seven counts, despite his plea of not guilty throughout the proceedings.
