Court convicts Nnamdi Kanu of terrorism charges
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), of several counts of terrorism charges leveled against him by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho delivering judgement on Thursday, cited prosecution evidence as the basis for the conviction, including interviews where Kanu made threats of violence against the country.
Kanu was found guilty of counts one and two, which involved making a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, in order to further his Biafra agenda.
Also held against the IPOB leader was the declaration of sit-at-home in south-eastern states, which constituted acts of terrorism, according to the court.
Kanu was also found guilty of counts four and five, which involved inciting violence during EndSARS protests, resulting in several deaths and destructions.
On his claim of being denied a fair hearing, the court ruled otherwise, stating that Kanu was not denied.
Concerning sentencing, Justice Omotosho stated that the maximum penalty was a death sentence. “A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence,” the judge said.
Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s sit-at-home orders in the South East amounted to acts of terrorism under the law.
“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.
“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,” Omotosho held.
Details later…
