Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of terrorism.
The sentencing was delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu received a life sentence for counts 1, 4, 5, and 6 of the seven-count charge.
The Biafra Radio director also received 20 years’ imprisonment on count 3 and five years on count 7.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had successfully proved all allegations, noting that Kanu offered no credible defence and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented.
The judge described the IPOB leader as “a person who cannot be allowed to remain in the company of sane minds” and called him an “international terrorist”.
He added that Kanu’s claim of being a freedom fighter could not justify actions carried out outside the law.
Omotosho said Kanu pursued his agitation through “brutal force and terrorism”, which led to the “bloodshed of innocent citizens”.
THE DEATH PENALTY REQUEST
Earlier, the federal government—represented by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN—had asked the court to impose the death penalty.
“The punishment prescribed for the offences in counts one, two, four, five and six… is death,” Awomolo said, noting that the court had no discretion on the matter.
However, Justice Omotosho said that although the offences legally warranted a death sentence, he opted for life imprisonment to show mercy.
‘HE REMAINED ARROGANT AND FULL OF HIMSELF’
“He has been convicted, and this court is only being merciful… The convict has shown no remorse,” Omotosho said.
“He remained arrogant, cocky, and full of himself, without recognising the magnitude of his crimes or their impact on his people in the south-east.”
Citing Matthew 23:23, the judge said he elected to show mercy, adding that the death penalty is increasingly condemned by the international community.
Kanu was therefore sentenced to life imprisonment on counts 1, 4, 5 and 6; 20 years on count 3; and five years on count 7—all to run concurrently.
TERMS OF SENTENCING
Omotosho ruled that Kanu is not suitable for Kuje Prison due to his behaviour during trial and should instead be kept in a secure facility anywhere in Nigeria.
He ordered that Kanu must not be allowed to use any electronic device, and that any such access must be supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Items recovered from him, including a smuggled transmitter, were ordered forfeited to the federal government.
