A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the Presiding Judge, James Omotosho, relied on prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens.
The court found Kanu guilty of the first two counts, which accused him of making repeated broadcasts aimed at inciting violence and killings in pursuit of his separatist campaign for Biafra.
It ruled that his threats, including the declaration of sit at home orders across the South East, and other calls for violence in his broadcasts, amounted to acts of terrorism.
It also found Kanu guilty on counts four and five of inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, resulting in the killing of security personnel and the destruction of government properties in Lagos.
The court also held that the IPOB leader was not denied a fair hearing as claimed by him.
Justice Omotosho stated that, “A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence.”
According to the judge, Kanu’s repeated threats of violence and killings, including his directives enforcing sit-at-home orders across the South-East in various broadcasts, amounted to acts of terrorism under the law.
