In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday sentenced leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to life in prison.
The judge convicted Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism charges brought against him by the Department of State Services.
The life imprisonment ruling covers counts one, two, four, five, and six of the seven‑count charge brought by the Department of State Services.
On count three, relating to membership of a proscribed terrorist group, the judge imposed a 20‑year sentence without an option of fine.
For count seven, involving the unlawful importation of a radio transmitter to advance the activities of Radio Biafra, Kanu received five years imprisonment, also without an option of fine.
In his judgment, the judge held that the prosecution presented sufficient and credible evidence to prove its case.
He noted that Kanu failed to enter a defence, instead choosing to rest his case on the prosecution’s evidence—a gamble the court said left it with no option but to convict.
The judge faulted Kanu’s approach to achieve a Biafra nation by employing violence, as leader of a terrorist group.
Justice Omotosho also noted that the law permitted a death sentence for terrorism offences but said he chose mercy, citing his Christian faith.
He further ordered that Kanu be held in protective custody outside Kuje prison and directed that the seized radio transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Godfrey Eshiomogie
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