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 after finding him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism filed by the Federal Government.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, came four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria to face trial. He was charged with offences revolving around terrorism, incitement, and violent directives allegedly issued through Radio Biafra broadcasts.
The verdict was handed down in Kanu’s absence following a disruption in court. The IPOB leader repeatedly insisted that judgement could not proceed without his written address being admitted, prompting Justice Omotosho to order security operatives to remove him from the courtroom for what was described as “unruly behaviour.”
In the ruling, Justice Omotosho held that several of Kanu’s broadcasts constituted acts of terrorism, arguing that the statements conveyed violent intent and encouraged attacks on security personnel. The judge further noted that Kanu’s widely enforced sit-at-home order across South-Eastern states amounted to terrorism, as it violated citizens’ fundamental rights, particularly freedom of movement.
According to the court, evidence presented during the trial showed that Kanu engaged in “preparatory terrorism” through broadcasts that allegedly directed the killing of police and military officers. Justice Omotosho declared that the gravity of his conduct met the threshold for terrorism under Nigerian law.
Kanu, who pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, was nonetheless convicted on each count, with the court concluding that the prosecution had sufficiently established its case against him.
What you should know
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed IPOB movement, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of terrorism-related offences.
The Federal Government accused him of using Radio Biafra broadcasts and sit-at-home directives to incite violence and undermine national security. Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s statements and orders amounted to terrorism, particularly those encouraging attacks on security personnel.
His conviction followed a dramatic courtroom incident in which he was removed for objecting to the proceedings. The judgement caps years of legal battles since his controversial 2021 arrest in Kenya and return to Nigeria. Further reactions and legal challenges are expected.
