Court Convicts IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu on Terrorism Charges

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

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had successfully linked Kanu to a series of violent and inciting broadcasts that, according to the court, fuelled killings, destruction of property and widespread fear across parts of the country.

The court found Kanu guilty on counts one and two, which accused him of making broadcasts directing supporters to unleash violence and killings in furtherance of the agitation for Biafra.

The judge said the directives, particularly the enforcement of sit-at-home orders across the South-East, constituted acts of terrorism.

Justice Omotosho quoted one of Kanu’s statements from Radio Biafra: “Saying there will be a complete shutdown of Biafraland. Saying I know some of you are foolish, trying to open your shop around 12 noon. If you do that, we will burn you in that shop.”

He described such orders as “unconstitutional, subversive and notorious,” noting that residents were forced indoors and farmlands deserted out of fear.

The court also found Kanu guilty on counts four and five, which accused him of making broadcasts during the #EndSARS protests that allegedly incited violence which led to the killing of security personnel and destruction of government property in Lagos.

According to the court, the prosecution presented video evidence of Kanu issuing inflammatory directives.

One of the video clips tendered, the judge said, showed Kanu proclaiming: “The Army of Nigeria will die and everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.”

Justice Omotosho rejected Kanu’s claim that he had been denied a fair hearing, stating that the defendant had ample opportunity to open his defence but failed to do so.

He emphasised that the law provides for stiff punishment for anyone convicted of such offences.

“A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence,” the judge warned.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021 after what his lawyers describe as an “extraordinary rendition” from Kenya.

His trial has been characterised by years of adjournments, appeals and legal disputes, including a Court of Appeal ruling in October 2022 which discharged him, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Thursday’s ruling marks one of the most significant judicial decisions in Kanu’s long-running legal battle.

Sentencing is expected to follow after the court concludes procedures on the remaining counts.

The Federal Government has continued to maintain that the sit-at-home directives and related violent incidents across the South-East were linked to IPOB activities, a position Kanu has repeatedly denied through his lawyers.