After a decade of legal battles, the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism-related offences. Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict after finding him guilty on all seven amended charges.
Kanu’s legal troubles began in 2015 when he was first arrested in Lagos. His case moved across four judges and was stalled for years after he fled the country during the 2017 military operation in Abia State. He was later rearrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria for trial. By 2022, eight of the original 15 charges had been struck out, leaving seven counts on which the court finally ruled.
According to the judgement, the federal government successfully proved that Kanu used his online broadcasts to incite violence, intimidate the population, enforce illegal sit-at-home orders, threaten security institutions, and encourage attacks on public infrastructure. The prosecution presented witnesses, documents, and videos showing that his messages led to killings, destruction of property, and widespread fear across the South-east.
Justice Omotosho said Kanu failed to present a defence, and the evidence—unchallenged—constituted acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Prevention Act. The court also held him guilty of leading a proscribed group and illegally importing a radio transmitter used for his broadcasts.
Although the prosecution pushed for the death penalty, the court opted for life imprisonment, noting the severity of the offences but choosing leniency. Kanu will remain in protective custody and will have restricted access to electronic devices monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Abaribe Rejects Verdict, Calls it a Plot Against the South-east
Reacting to the judgement, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe condemned the life sentence, describing it as a long-planned injustice targeting the South-east. He said the verdict was expected, given the federal government’s refusal to offer Kanu the same amnesty granted to militants and insurgents in other regions.
Abaribe urged the Igbo community to remain calm and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the interest of national unity and fairness.
Army Dismisses Fake ‘Sit-At-Home’ Order Ahead of Verdict
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division debunked a viral message announcing a sit-at-home directive ahead of the judgement day. The army described it as a deliberate attempt by criminals to stir panic and destabilise the region.
Troops, alongside police and other agencies, were deployed to safeguard communities, protect infrastructure, and ensure businesses operated normally. The military urged residents to ignore fear-mongering messages and warned that anyone attempting to enforce illegal orders would face swift action.
