ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has handed a life imprisonment sentence to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bringing an end to a decade-long trial.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, comes four years after Kanu was apprehended in Kenya under disputed circumstances and returned to Nigeria.
He was later arraigned on seven terrorism-related charges.
The judgment was delivered in Kanu’s absence after he insisted that the court would not rule on the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Following the disruption that occurred, the presiding judge ordered security operatives to remove him from the courtroom for what was described as ‘unruly behaviour.’
Justice Omotosho held that several of Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that his statements and intentions were rooted in violence.
He further ruled that Kanu’s sit-at-home directive across the South-East also constituted terrorism, as it infringed on residents’ freedom of movement.
The judge emphasized that he had no constitutional authority to impose such an order.
According to Omotosho, the evidence presented showed that the IPOB leader engaged in preparatory acts of terrorism through broadcasts in which he directed attacks on police and military personnel.
The court concluded that the IPOB leader was guilty of committing acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Kanu was found guilty on all seven charges brought against him, despite pleading not guilty.
