Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on three of seven terrorism charges.
The judge, James Omotosho, based the verdict on evidence including video interviews where Kanu issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. Kanu was found guilty of inciting violence and killings through broadcasts advocating Biafra separatism, including enforcing sit-at-home orders in the Southeast, which the court deemed acts of terrorism.
He was also convicted of inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, which led to deaths and property destruction. The court dismissed Kanu’s claim of unfair hearing, stating that his repeated threats and directives, such as sit-at-home orders and incendiary broadcasts about Nigeria’s destruction, constituted unconstitutional acts and terrorism under law. The judge noted that a person guilty of such offenses could face the death penalty, however he was sentenced to life imprisonment. While his former lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed that Kanu would challenge the court’s decision, Federal Government has requested the Federal High Court to impose the death penalty on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, after his conviction on seven terrorism charges.
Following the verdict, the prosecution’s lead lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty under the law, which includes the death sentence for several of the offenses.
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