After several years of trial on terrorism-related charges, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu would serve life imprisonment on counts one, four, five and six, opting against the death penalty. The court further handed him a 20-year sentence on Count Three and a five-year term on Count Seven, without the option of a fine.
Justice Omotosho directed that Kanu be kept in a specially designated facility suitable for his custody, adding that he must not have access to digital devices unless strictly monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser. The judge also ordered that the transmitter recovered from Kanu be forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to the court, the prosecution proved all seven charges against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, welcomed the verdict, saying it reinforces the principle that no individual is above the law. Awomolo addressed journalists outside the court shortly after the conviction.
In a swift reaction, Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team vowed to appeal the judgment. Speaking to the press, Kanu’s consultant lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, insisted that the ruling “does not hold water,” adding that they will immediately approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
