By Ọmọsọla Olumide
The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The judgement, delivered on Thursday, November 20, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho, followed Kanu’s conviction on terrorism-related charges after a protracted legal battle.
In the ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that the prosecution had successfully demonstrated that Kanu’s broadcasts and directives to the proscribed IPOB movement fueled violent attacks against security personnel and civilians across the southeast region.
“His intention was clear—he believed in and promoted violence. These threats and incitements amounted to acts of terrorism,” Justice Omotosho declared.
Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 but fled Nigeria in 2017 while on bail following a military operation at his residence. His bail was officially revoked in 2019.
He was re-arrested in 2021 in Kenya and returned to Nigeria, although his legal team alleged he was mistreated prior to the extradition—claims which Kenyan authorities refuted.
While abroad, Kanu frequently used social media and Radio Biafra broadcasts to criticise the Nigerian government, with authorities arguing that his messages encouraged attacks on security agencies.
He pleaded not guilty in 2021 to seven charges, including terrorism, treason, and disseminating false claims about former President Muhammadu Buhari.
No comments:
Post a Comment