Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under what were described as “contentious circumstances” and returned to Nigeria.
Following his return, he was arraigned on seven counts linked to terrorism.
The court delivered the judgment in Kanu’s absence after he insisted that the ruling would not be given on the terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government.
Due to the tension that followed, the judge directed security operatives to remove him from the courtroom, citing “unruly behaviour.”
Justice Omotosho held that several of Kanu’s broadcasts on Radio Biafra constituted acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric and objectives were “anchored on violence.”
He further stated that Kanu’s sit-at-home directive across the South-East amounted to terrorism, stressing that it infringed on the freedom of movement of residents.
According to the judge, the IPOB leader “lacked the constitutional power” to issue such orders.
He added that evidence presented before the court showed that Kanu engaged in preparatory acts of terrorism through broadcasts in which he allegedly ordered attacks on police and military personnel.
The court declared that Kanu was guilty of committing terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He was convicted on all seven charges, despite having pleaded not guilty.