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The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a life sentence after convicting him on multiple terrorism charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, following an extensive ruling session. Although several of the charges carried the death penalty, the judge opted for life imprisonment after considering appeals for leniency. Kanu was convicted on counts one, two, four, five, and six—offences that ordinarily attract a death sentence—while counts three and seven also earned him additional jail terms, which will run concurrently.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that Kanu’s repeated broadcasts—containing threats of violence, killings, and the enforcement of sit-at-home orders across the South-East—amounted to acts of terrorism. The court also found him guilty of proclaiming himself a member of IPOB between 2018 and 2021, despite the organization being outlawed in Nigeria.
Drama in Court as Kanu Removed During Proceedings
Before the final judgment was read, tensions flared in the courtroom. Justice Omotosho ordered Kanu out of the courtroom after he became unruly during proceedings. The judge had dismissed three fresh applications filed by Kanu, describing them as lacking merit.
Kanu protested loudly, insisting the court could not proceed because he had not filed his final written address. He went further to accuse the judge of bias and claimed the court “did not know the law,” prompting the judge to have him removed to restore order.
With Kanu taken out of the courtroom, the judge proceeded to conclude the judgment that ultimately imposed a life imprisonment sentence on the IPOB leader.
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