The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment following his conviction on terrorism charges.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict on Thursday, four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and brought back to Nigeria to face a seven-count charge.
The judgment was read in Kanu’s absence after he reportedly insisted that the court would not proceed with sentencing in the terrorism case filed against him. His conduct resulted in his forceful removal from the courtroom on the orders of the presiding judge.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that several broadcasts attributed to Kanu on Radio Biafra amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that the messages were anchored on violence.
The judge further ruled that Kanu’s sit-at-home orders across the South-East constituted terrorism as they infringed on citizens’ freedom of movement and caused widespread intimidation.
According to the court, evidence presented during trial showed that Kanu used his broadcasts to issue directives that encouraged attacks on security personnel, describing such conduct as preparatory acts of terrorism.
Justice Omotosho declared that the IPOB leader was guilty on all seven counts filed against him, despite his plea of not guilty.
