Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment, marking a major climax to a decade-long trial.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, comes four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.

Kanu was convicted on all seven counts bordering on terrorism, despite pleading not guilty throughout the trial.

The judgment was delivered in his absence after he insisted that the court would not deliver judgment in the case. His refusal to participate prompted Justice Omotosho to order security operatives to remove him from the courtroom over what the judge described as “unruly behaviour.”

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that several of Kanu’s broadcasts on Radio Biafra amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric was intentionally violent and targeted at destabilizing the country.

He added that Kanu’s sit-at-home directives in the South-East constituted terrorism, describing the order as a violation of citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of movement.

The court further stated that evidence before it showed Kanu had carried out “preparatory acts of terrorism” through broadcasts in which he allegedly ordered attacks on police and military personnel.

Justice Omotosho concluded that Kanu committed acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, warranting the sentence imposed.

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.

WATCH THE PROSECUTOR SPEAK

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been convicted on terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian government. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

Kanu, who had previously resisted the court proceedings and refused to participate in his defence, was found guilty on all counts. According to Justice Omotosho, the court had no choice but to rely on the evidence presented by the prosecution after Kanu declined to engage in his defence.

“As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, I begged Kanu passionately to enter his defence, but he obstinately refused,” Justice Omotosho said.

Key Convictions

• Terrorism through broadcasts: Kanu was found guilty of inciting violence through broadcasts linked to IPOB activities.
• International terrorism: The court ruled that Kanu qualifies as an international terrorist.
• Sit-at-home orders in South-East Nigeria: He was convicted for enforcing sit-at-home directives that disrupted businesses and daily life across the South-East states.
• Murder of Ahmed Gulak: The court linked Kanu and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to the murder of the former politician in Imo State.
• Leadership of a proscribed organisation: Kanu was also convicted for leading IPOB, which is officially listed as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that Kanu’s refusal to enter a defence left the court with no alternative but to act on the incontrovertible evidence presented by the prosecution.

The court’s ruling marks a major development in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and separatist agitation in the South-East.

More updates to follow…

A high-powered Nigerian government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday amid escalating allegations of Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria.

The visit comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and ordered an investigation into claims that Christians are being targeted. The move followed comments by Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, who recently backed a two-state solution to the Israel–Gaza conflict, triggering intensified scrutiny from U.S. political and religious groups.

Trump tasked several lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore, to lead the inquiry. Despite repeated attempts by the Nigerian government to counter what it describes as a false narrative, U.S. officials have continued to act on growing claims that Christian communities face systemic persecution.

Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when American rapper Nicki Minaj was invited to the United Nations to testify against Nigeria in a session organised with the backing of the U.S. Mission to the UN. Nigerian officials were barred from attending the hearing, prompting a strong protest.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, condemned the move, likening it to “shaving our head in our absence.”

Ribadu Meets U.S. Congressmen

On Wednesday, Ribadu and senior government officials met Congressman Moore in Washington, D.C., to present Nigeria’s position and address concerns surrounding insecurity and religious violence.

The delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye, among other top security officials.

Moore confirmed the meeting on social media, describing the engagement as “open and constructive.” He said discussions focused on terrorism, security cooperation, and the protection of vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria,” Moore said.

He added that he had insisted the U.S. expects “tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Moore said the United States is willing to deepen collaboration with Nigeria to combat Boko Haram, ISWAP, and violent extremist groups, especially in the Northeast and Middle Belt.

He issued a strong warning, emphasising that both Congress and Trump are aligned on holding Nigeria accountable:

“President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”

As of Wednesday night, the Nigerian delegation had not released any public statement regarding the engagement.

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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered security operatives to forcibly remove detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the courtroom after the proceedings were repeatedly disrupted.

The dramatic scene unfolded moments after Kanu insisted that the court could not proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu, who raised his voice several times, demanded that the judge show him the section of the law that barred him from submitting a final written address. His outbursts halted the proceedings, prompting Justice Omotosho to stand down the matter while security agents escorted him out.

Before the disruption, Justice Omotosho had dismissed fresh applications filed by Kanu despite the case already being scheduled for judgment. According to the judge, the motions merely rehashed arguments previously raised and resolved in earlier rulings.

The court also rejected Kanu’s request to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal, citing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which prohibits the stay of proceedings in criminal trials.

Additionally, Kanu’s bid for bail was turned down. Justice Omotosho, however, noted that some of the issues raised by the IPOB leader would be addressed during the final judgment.

The court has now commenced reading the judgment in the high-profile case.