After years of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has finally received a life sentence from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling came after a long legal journey filled with dramatic events, multiple appeals and strong public reactions.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, ending years of courtroom battles and political debates.
The judge held that the Nnamdi Kanu sentencing trial established guilt on several terrorism counts brought by the Federal Government.
Judge Delivers Life Sentence
Justice Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Instead of the death penalty, the judge ruled that life imprisonment was appropriate.
On count 3, Kanu received a 20-year sentence, while count 7 attracted a five-year term. All sentences will run concurrently.
Before reading the judgment, the judge asked Kanu’s lawyers, now addressed as consultants, to introduce themselves. He instructed them to relay the ruling to their client and act professionally.
He also condemned what he described as “abysmal conduct” after reports emerged that Kanu slapped one of his counsel in public.
Long Road to Judgment
The Nnamdi Kanu sentencing trial has been one of Nigeria’s most followed legal cases in recent years. Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on treasonable felony and terrorism charges. The case shifted direction several times as public interest grew.
In 2017, he fled the country after a military operation at his home during “Operation Python Dance” in the South-East. His sudden disappearance raised questions and deepened the national controversy.
Arrest and Expanded Charges
Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 under disputed circumstances, which his legal team and IPOB described as an “extraordinary rendition.”
After his return to Nigeria, the Federal Government expanded the charges to 15 counts, including terrorism and incitement.
The defence has continued to argue that the trial violated international legal standards.
They claim that multiple procedural errors and issues around jurisdiction weakened the prosecution’s case. Despite these objections, the court ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient.
Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, represented the Federal Government during the Nnamdi Kanu sentencing trial, while Kanu chose to represent himself.
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Court sentences Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for count 4, 5 and 6, instead of death sentence #CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/5VxZrIPOIb
— Channels Television (@channelstv) November 20, 2025