A Federal High Court in Abuja has found the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, guilty of engaging in acts of terrorism.
The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, held that Kanu’s repeated threats of violence, killings, and his declaration of sit-at-home orders across several South-Eastern states amounted to terrorist activities.
Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu was guilty on counts one through five of the seven-count charge filed by the Department of State Services. The court stated that the broadcasts attributed to him promoted fear and disruption, and that his open claim of being a member of IPOB—a proscribed group—further strengthened the charges.
After addressing the first five counts, the judge proceeded to examine counts six and seven as the judgment continued.
More to come…
What you should know
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed IPOB movement, has faced long-running legal battles with the Federal Government over allegations tied to the group’s activities and his public broadcasts.
IPOB was officially banned in Nigeria in 2017, and Kanu has since faced multiple charges involving terrorism, incitement, and membership in an unlawful organization. His case has drawn national and international attention, with supporters framing him as a political agitator and critics accusing him of fueling unrest in the South-East.
The latest conviction marks a significant development in the government’s efforts to address separatist tensions and enforce counter-terrorism laws.
