FG Seeks Death Penalty for Nnamdi Kanu After Terrorism Conviction

The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death penalty on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction on seven counts of terrorism on Thursday.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Kanu guilty on all seven charges.

Moments after the conviction, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to apply the maximum punishment prescribed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Awomolo told the court that several of the offences for which Kanu was found guilty carry a mandatory death sentence.

“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence. The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death,” Awomolo said.

“With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard. The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”

Sentencing is expected to follow after the court considers all submissions from both sides.

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