From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on three counts of the terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The court found him guilty of issuing threats against the Federal Republic of Nigeria through incendiary broadcasts, enforcing illegal sit-at-home orders, and belonging to a proscribed organisation.
Delivering judgement, trial Justice, James Omotosho, declared that the prosecution had convincingly demonstrated that Kanu’s broadcasts encouraged violence, incited killings and intensified separatist agitations across parts of the South-East. He said the court’s conclusion was based on “uncontroverted evidence” tendered by the Federal Government, indicating that the defendant repeatedly used his platform “to inflame tensions and embolden attacks.”
Justice Omotosho noted that despite the gravity of the allegations, Kanu failed to controvert or disprove the prosecution’s evidence, a position he said further strengthened the case against him.
According to the court, the tone, content and reach of the broadcasts went far beyond political advocacy and amounted to direct incitement capable of triggering widespread violence and undermining national security.
In addition to the inciting statements, the court held that Kanu’s persistent issuance of threats enforcing illegal sit-at-home orders contributed to fear, disruption of livelihoods and a climate of instability in the region. It also reaffirmed that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation under Nigerian law, making Kanu’s continued leadership and membership a criminal offence.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had met the legal threshold required to secure convictions under the country’s terrorism laws, stressing that the evidence presented was clear, weighty and left unrebutted.
Further court proceedings are expected to determine sentencing and address any outstanding counts in the charge.
