Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after years of trial.
Kanu was arrested in Kenya four years ago under controversial circumstances and brought back to Nigeria. He faced seven terrorism-related charges.
The judgment was delivered in his absence because he refused to take part in the trial, insisting the court had no power to try him. His refusal later led to his removal from the courtroom for unruly behaviour.
In the ruling, Justice Omotosho said several broadcasts by Kanu on Radio Biafra amounted to terrorism because they promoted violence. He said Kanu’s sit-at-home orders in the South-East also qualified as terrorism since they restricted citizens’ freedom of movement.
The court added that Kanu used his broadcasts to incite attacks and killings of police and military officers. With this evidence, the judge found him guilty on all seven counts and said his actions were acts of terrorism against Nigeria.
Justice Omotosho said the life sentence should serve as a warning to anyone threatening national security
