From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict after finding Kanu guilty on multiple terrorism-related charges.
The judgment comes four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria in a move his lawyers have repeatedly described as an illegal rendition.
Kanu faced a seven-count charge covering terrorism, incitement, and membership of an unlawful organisation.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, highlighting that Kanu’s repeated broadcasts and directives posed serious threats to national security, public safety, and constitutional order.
The court found Kanu guilty on counts one, two, and three, which centred on engaging in terrorist acts through incendiary public broadcasts.
In these, Kanu allegedly issued threats of killings, violence, and enforced the illegal “sit-at-home” orders that paralyzed economic and social life in parts of the South-East.
Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu used his broadcasts and the IPOB platform to incite violence, enforce “sit-at-home” directives, and direct attacks against security personnel and civilians, describing these as “clear acts of terrorism” with widespread consequences for lives, livelihoods, public safety, and regional stability.
On counts four and five, Kanu was found guilty of inciting violence that led to the burning of police stations, the killing of security personnel, and the destruction of federal property.
The court held that the prosecution established a direct link between Kanu’s directives and the wave of violent attacks by his followers, calling the evidence “uncontroverted.”
Citing video and audio recordings, Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s broadcasts—including threats that “people will die” and that “everything called Nigeria will perish”—demonstrated clear intent to carry out acts of terrorism.
On count seven, Kanu was convicted for illegally importing and concealing a radio transmitter in a container declared as used household items. The court described this as an attempt to operate a subversive communication system without lawful authorization.
In his final judgment, Justice Omotosho described Kanu as “an international terrorist” whose actions inflicted severe harm “even to his own people.”
The court also upheld prosecution claims that Kanu threatened to bomb the British High Commission in Abuja and assassinate the then British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, calling these acts terrorism of international dimension.
“Kanu claimed to be a freedom fighter, but the evidence before this court shows he has done more harm than good. He is a terrorist and must be treated as such,” the judge said.
Addressing Kanu’s claims of being denied a fair hearing, the court held that he was given every opportunity to defend himself but repeatedly declined to do so.
Justice Omotoso further said, “I have listened to the allocutus by a House of Representatives, Hon Obi Agoucha, fro Kanu’s constituency, but I am not moved by that except by a verse in the Bible, Matthew 23 verse 23, which states that Our Lord is merciful and no matter what the court will follow this admission of Jesus Christ.
“In addition, the death is now been frowned upon globally. Therefore, I sentence him to life in imprisonment. In count three, he is sentenced to twenty years without no option of fine. On court seven he is hereby sentenced to ten years. The judgement shall run concurrently. which says even if you have paid the tithes. The convict has a tendency of violence. Based on this, he must be kept in a facility that is suitable for him. Putting him in Kuje Custodial Centre may not be appropriate.
“I agree with the prosecution that the convict must not be allowed to a computer device. He should be kept in any custodial centre in any part of the country.”
