Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, four years after Kanu’s arrest in Kenya under contentious circumstances and subsequent extradition to Nigeria. He faced seven counts of terrorism before the court.
The ruling was handed down in Kanu’s absence after the IPOB leader insisted that the judgment should not be delivered on the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
During the proceedings, Kanu’s refusal to cooperate led the presiding judge to order security agents to remove him from the courtroom for what was described as “unruly behaviour.”
Justice Omotosho ruled that several broadcasts by Kanu via Radio Biafra constituted acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric and intentions were anchored in violence.
The judge also highlighted Kanu’s sit-at-home orders in South-Eastern states as acts of terrorism, emphasising that they violated residents’ freedom of movement and that Kanu lacked the constitutional authority to impose such restrictions.
The court further found that he had engaged in preparatory acts of terrorism through broadcasts in which he allegedly called for the killing of police and military officers.
He was convicted on all seven counts despite pleading not guilty, with the court affirming that his actions amounted to terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
