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By Lizzy Chirkpi
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on all seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had presented “sufficient credible evidence” to substantiate every allegation against the separatist leader. The judge said the court had “no option” but to rely on the prosecution’s case since Kanu chose not to enter any defence, instead electing to rest his fate on the evidence already laid before the court.
Justice Omotosho condemned Kanu’s conduct, describing him as “a false defender of the people of the South-East whose actions have led to bloodshed.” He declared that Kanu is “a terrorist and must be treated as such without fear or favour.”
While reviewing the charges, the court found Kanu guilty of issuing violent threats during a live broadcast in which he warned that people would die and the world would “stand still,” acts the court said amounted to terrorism against the Nigerian state. Justice Omotosho further held that Kanu’s enforcement of “sit-at-home” orders that crippled economic and social activities across the South-East constituted deliberate acts of intimidation and terror against civilians.
The IPOB leader was also convicted for leading and belonging to a proscribed organisation. The court accepted the prosecution’s evidence that he made broadcasts encouraging attacks on security agencies and government institutions, including calls for the destruction of public infrastructure. Justice Omotosho explained that the evidence showed that Kanu’s directives directly contributed to violence and unrest across the region.
Additionally, he was convicted on the count relating to the illegal importation and concealment of radio transmission equipment alleged to have been used for his broadcasts. The court noted that several of the counts for which Kanu was found guilty fall under sections of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act that carry the maximum penalty, including death.
In summarising the verdict, the judge said: “Mr Kanu knew what he was doing; he was bent on carrying out these threats without consideration for his own people. From the incontrovertible evidence, it is clear that the defendant carried out preparatory acts of terrorism. He had the duty to explain himself but failed to do so.”
Reacting shortly after the ruling, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, wrote on X: “The Judge just convicted Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Counts 1 and 2 (acts in furtherance of terrorism). There is palpable tension in the courtroom, as the judge is presently analyzing Count 3, ominously.”
Justice Omotosho was still reading the remaining parts of the judgment at the time of filing this report.