The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the Presiding Judge, James Omotosho, cited prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu made violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for the conviction.
The court found Kanu guilty of counts one and two of making a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, in furtherance of his separatist agitation for Biafra.
The court held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South East states, in his many broadcasts, constitute 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.
Omotosho described the IPOB leader as “a person who cannot be allowed to remain in the company of sane minds”.
“The defendant enforced the order of Sit-at-Home in the South East. 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.”
Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s orders were unconstitutional.
“This is an unconstitutional act that is subversive, a notorious act where people in the South East are made to sit at home, everywhere is deserted, even the farmlands.”
The Court also held that Kanu, who said he is the founder and Director of Radio and Television of Biafra, made a broadcast to the effect that the Army of Nigeria will die and that everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.
The judge had earlier orders security agents to remove Kanu from the courtroom after he became unruly claiming that the court could not deliver judgement.
As the court prepared to deliver its ruling, Kanu insisted that proceedings could not continue because he had not yet filed his final written address.
Raising his voice, he accused the judge of bias and claimed that Omotosho did not understand the law.
In response, the trial judge ordered that Kanu be taken out of the courtroom.
While being taken out, Kanu kept shouting and cussing. He also turned to the prosecution counsel and said: “God will punish you”.
After reconvening, Omotosho ruled that because of the violent nature of the defendant, “the judgment and other proceedings should proceed in his absence”.
