By Obinna Uballa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism levelled against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Kanu issued repeated incendiary broadcasts encouraging attacks, killings, and destruction of public infrastructure in furtherance of his separatist ideology.
The judge described the evidence presented by the Federal Government as “uncontroverted and compelling,” noting that Kanu failed to challenge any of the broadcasts attributed to him, many of which the court said posed a grave threat to national security.
Justice Omotosho also criticised Kanu for what he called a consistent lack of remorse, saying the defendant “was not remorseful, he has been arrogant, even today. The court will, however, show mercy.”
While imposing a life sentence, the judge ruled that Kanu must be placed in a secured protective facility and not at the Kuje Correctional Centre, citing past security breaches at the facility. He further ordered that the convict must not have access to electronic gadgets or internet-enabled devices, except strictly under the supervision of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The sentencing followed a heated session earlier in the day, during which the Federal Government applied for the death penalty. Lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to impose the maximum punishment, arguing that Kanu’s incitement resulted in the deaths of security personnel and widespread destruction across the South-East.
Awomolo told the court that counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the charge attract the death sentence, count 3 carries a 20-year jail term, while count 7 attracts five years. He insisted that only the harshest possible sentence would give justice to victims of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) attacks.
He also asked the court to order the forfeiture of all seized broadcast equipment linked to Kanu and to restrict him from accessing phones, computers, or any digital communication tools during his incarceration. The prosecution additionally warned that placing Kanu at Kuje prison would endanger his life due to previous jailbreaks.
Before the court retired to finalise sentencing, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South, pleaded for leniency, urging the court to “temper justice with mercy.”
Thursday’s verdict brings to a close a trial that has spanned more than a decade, marked by multiple adjournments, legal challenges, and nationwide tensions over Kanu’s detention and prosecution.
