The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terrorism offences.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism levelled against him by the Federal Government. He imposed life imprisonment on counts one, four, five and six, noting that he opted for life rather than the death penalty. He further sentenced Kanu to 20 years in prison on Count Three and five years on Count Seven, both without the option of a fine, with all sentences to run concurrently.
“I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence,” Justice Omotosho said. “With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of fine. For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine. To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”
The court also directed that Kanu be held in a facility suitable for his custody, barred from access to digital devices, and placed under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser. His transmitter, according to the judge, is to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Before sentencing, Justice Omotosho declared Kanu guilty of terrorism, stating that the prosecution had proved all seven charges. He noted that the defendant failed to respond to allegations arising from his broadcasts and refused to present a defence. According to the judge, evidence presented by the government showed that Kanu ordered sit-at-home directives in the South-East and threatened violence in his broadcasts.
He held that Kanu committed “an act of terrorism against Nigeria by making a broadcast threatening that people would die and the world would be at a standstill,” adding that the IPOB leader acted deliberately and without regard for the lives of his followers.
The judge also read excerpts from Kanu’s broadcasts, citing explicit calls for violence. In one instance, he quoted Kanu as saying: “Go to the bush. You need to cut them off from the back, ambush them, take their guns from them and kill them. They are animals and not human beings… If you allow them to escape, your life is over, and I want Lagos Airport to be on flame… burn down the Lagos airport.” He further quoted him as directing followers to “Set Muritala Muhammed Airport on fire. Set it ablaze right now.”
Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution established that Kanu belonged to IPOB and its militia wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and that his broadcasts incited violence leading to attacks on security personnel and the destruction of public property. He also described Kanu as an “international terrorist,” citing evidence that he threatened to bomb the British High Commission and harm the then British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, as well as a broadcast ordering an attack on the American embassy.
“Thus, from the above, it can be said that the defendant incited people to invade the British High Commission… and his threat against British High Commissioner Catriona Laing, and the American embassy is an act of international terrorism,” he stated, adding that allowing Kanu to continue his activities “would have led to an international incident involving Nigeria and other foreign nations.”
The judge rejected assertions that Kanu was a freedom fighter, comparing IPOB’s activities to those of Boko Haram and other terror organisations. He stressed that Nigeria remains an indivisible entity and that any attempt to divide the country amounts to breaking the law.
