Nnamdi Kanu Sentenced to Life as South East Leaders Push Political Solution

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday sentenced Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism brought by the Federal Government. The judgment followed a tense seven hour proceeding marked by disruptions from Kanu before he was removed from the courtroom.

South East leaders responded immediately, saying a political solution is now their priority. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ben Kalu who spoke on behalf of Ndigbo leaders said hope is not lost. He said President Bola Tinubu would listen to the pleas of respected Igbo voices and assured citizens that efforts for Kanu’s release would intensify now that the court has concluded its work. He appealed for calm across the region.

The proceeding began on a heated note after Kanu interrupted the judge while the verdict was being read. He insisted the court could not continue because he had not filed his final written address. He raised his voice and challenged the court to show him the law used to try him. Justice Omotosho described his behaviour as unruly and ordered security operatives to remove him. The court continued the session in his absence after the prosecution argued that his conduct justified it.

Justice Omotosho said a defendant has the right to be present during trial but repeated misconduct allows the court to proceed without him. He said Kanu had acted in the same manner several times in previous sessions. The judge noted that Kanu had already stated he would not present a defence and that the day was set aside for judgment and sentencing.

Delivering the ruling, the judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six. The charges cover his secessionist broadcasts, threats of violence, killings attributed to IPOB activities, destruction of public property, acts of terrorism, and attempts to break away parts of the South East, South South and Middle Belt from Nigeria. Count three which relates to his membership of a proscribed group carries a 20 year sentence with no option of fine. Count seven which concerns unlawful importation of a radio transmitter carries a five year sentence with no option of fine. All sentences will run concurrently.

Omotosho said several of Kanu’s broadcasts including statements that “people will die and the nation will stand still” and threats against security operatives and citizens met the legal threshold for terrorism. He said Kanu’s enforcement of sit at home orders across the South East caused deaths, shut businesses, prevented farmers from going to their farms and stopped citizens from attending church. He added that Kanu’s speeches describing Nigeria as a “zoo” and threatening that nothing would remain in it if his demands were not met were subversive.

In the judgment the court referenced Kanu’s past remarks at the Igbo World Congress in the United States and his interviews where he said there would be a bloodbath and that America would give “guns and bullets.” Justice Omotosho said the law permits the death penalty for the offences but he opted for life imprisonment. He said he tempered justice with mercy as a Christian and quoted from the book of Matthew.

The judge said Kanu’s behaviour throughout the trial remained arrogant and unruly yet the court chose mercy. He also warned that Kanu’s history of inciting violence means his personal safety could be at risk from people who lost loved ones due to his orders.

South East leaders say their next step is to engage the President directly. They maintained that dialogue is the only way to secure lasting peace in the region.