BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Convicted on Terrorism Charges As Court Says Offence Carries Death Penalty

BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Convicted on Terrorism Charges As Court Says Offence Carries Death Penalty

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on three out of the seven terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution provided compelling evidence, including multiple video recordings of Kanu issuing violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. The judge said these broadcasts formed the basis for upholding the charges.

Court: Kanu’s Broadcasts Encouraged Violence and Killings

The court found Kanu guilty on:

• Counts 1 and 2: Making inflammatory broadcasts that incited violence and killings in furtherance of the agitation for Biafra.
• Counts 4 and 5: Encouraging violent acts during the #EndSARS protests, which led to the deaths of security operatives and the destruction of public infrastructure in Lagos.

Justice Omotosho held that the repeated threats, including the enforcement of sit-at-home orders across the South-East, amounted to acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.

“The defendant enforced the order of sit-at-home in the South-East, saying shops must remain closed and threatening to burn anyone who disobeyed,” the judge said.

He described the orders as unconstitutional, subversive, and responsible for crippling social and economic activities in the region.

No Denial of Fair Hearing — Court Rules

Kanu had argued that he was denied a fair hearing in the course of his trial, but the court dismissed the claim, stating that due process was followed throughout the proceedings.

Justice Omotosho also emphasized that the offenses Kanu was found guilty of attract a maximum penalty of death under the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Broadcast Threats Against Nigeria Cited as Key Evidence

According to the judgment, Kanu admitted to being the founder and Director of Radio Biafra and was heard in broadcasts declaring:

• That “the Nigerian Army will die,”
• And that “everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.”

The court ruled that these statements were clearly intended to provoke violence and destabilize the country.

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