Court Sentences IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment for Terrorism

By Chinedu Echianu

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terrorism-related offences.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, four years after Kanu’s controversial arrest in Kenya and his subsequent return to Nigeria. The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on seven counts bordering on terrorism.

According to the court, Kanu’s repeated broadcasts on Radio Biafra, in which he issued threats of violence, killings, and sit-at-home directives across the South-East, amounted to acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Justice Omotosho also noted that the IPOB leader engaged in preparatory activities for attacks on police and military personnel.

The court further found him guilty on charges linked to the violent incidents that occurred during the #EndSARS protests, stating that his inciting remarks contributed to the killing of security operatives and the destruction of government property in Lagos.

The judgment was delivered in Kanu’s absence after he objected to the continuation of the proceedings and was forcibly removed from the courtroom for unruly conduct. The court dismissed his claims of denial of fair hearing, insisting that due process was followed throughout the trial.

Kanu, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was ultimately convicted on counts one and two relating to inciting broadcasts, as well as counts four and five tied to violence during the 2020 protests.
With the decision, the court affirmed that the IPOB leader committed acts of terrorism and imposed a life sentence as prescribed by law.