Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty on all seven counts of terrorism brought against him.
Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho described Kanu as a terrorist whose actions have caused significant bloodshed and destabilized communities in the South-East region of Nigeria. The judge noted that, despite portraying himself as a defender of his people, Kanu’s activities have endangered lives and national security.
“The court finds that the defendant, Nnamdi Kanu, is an international terrorist and must be treated accordingly,” Justice Omotosho declared.
The judge emphasized that the prosecution presented credible and sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges. Kanu, who opted not to enter a defense, rested his case entirely on the evidence provided by the government.
The charges against Kanu included membership in a proscribed terrorist organization, incitement to violence, and orchestrating attacks that resulted in the deaths of security operatives and destruction of public infrastructure.
Justice Omotosho further affirmed that the sentence would include measures to restrict Kanu’s access to digital devices and broadcasting equipment during his imprisonment, aiming to prevent further use of such tools for subversive activities.
The court also recommended that Kanu undergo rehabilitation and deradicalization programs as part of his sentence, preparing him for eventual reintegration into society.
The ruling marks the conclusion of a decade-long legal battle dating back to Kanu’s first arrest in 2015 and his subsequent rearrest in Kenya in 2021.
The judgment sends a strong message that acts of terrorism and efforts to destabilize Nigeria will attract the strictest penalties under the law.
Justice Omotosho is continuing to deliver the remaining parts of the judgment, which include directives on the management of Kanu’s sentence and related procedural matters.
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