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 multiple terrorism-related charges.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the evidence before the court qualified Kanu for the death penalty, but said he opted to exercise mercy by imposing a lesser sentence. The judge noted that although the law prescribed capital punishment for several of the offences, international human-rights trends and considerations of fairness influenced his decision.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, all of which related to terrorism, incitement, and the operations of Radio Biafra. On count 3, the court handed him 20 years in prison without an option of a fine, while count 7 carried a five-year sentence, also without a fine. All sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho also issued additional orders, directing that Kanu be detained in a high-security facility due to what he described as the defendant’s “violent tendencies.” The court further barred him from accessing mobile phones, laptops, or any digital devices while in custody, citing concerns that he could use such tools to further incite violence.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the transmitter allegedly imported for the operations of Radio Biafra, noting that it had been brought into the country illegally.
Kanu’s conviction is tied to his leadership of IPOB, a separatist movement pushing for the independence of Nigeria’s Southeast region. The court held that his broadcasts and directives—including the controversial Monday “sit-at-home” orders—amounted to acts of terrorism and unlawful intimidation of citizens.
While acknowledging that the right to self-determination exists in international law, Justice Omotosho insisted that such agitations must be pursued within Nigeria’s constitutional framework and not through violence or disruption of public order.
Following the ruling, Kanu signaled his intention to appeal the judgment, with his lawyers maintaining that he is not a terrorist and that many of his statements were misinterpreted.
The case, one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in recent Nigerian history, continues to generate significant political and social reactions, particularly in the Southeast, where Kanu commands substantial support.
