BREAKIMG: Justice James Omotosho of the federal high court, Abuja has sentenced Nazi Nnamdi Kanu to life in prison on charges of terrorism.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho said he sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six, instead of a death sentence.
He also sentenced the IPOB leader to 20 years imprisonment on Count Three, and five years imprisonment on Count Seven, with no option of fine.
He said the sentence shall run concurrently.
Delivering judgment, he said “I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence.
“With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of fine.
“For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine. To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”
The judge stated that Kanu must be kept in a facility that will be suitable for his custody and should not be allowed close to any digital device, or must be monitored by the office of the National Security Adviser.
He also said that the IPOB leader’s transmitter would be given to the Federal Government.
Guilty Verdict
The court had earlier found Kanu guilty of terrorism against the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment, said the prosecution proved its case in the seven counts against Kanu beyond a reasonable doubt.
On Count One, he said that the defendant failed to respond to the broadcast accusation and deliberately refused to enter his defence on it.
Omotosho stated that evidence shown by the prosecution revealed that the defendant ordered the sit-at-home order in the South-East region.
He said Kanu committed an act of terrorism against Nigeria by making a broadcast threatening that people would die and the world would be at a standstill.
The judge said the defendant knew what he was doing and was bent on carrying out the threats without consideration for the lives of his own people.
“From the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution, it is clear that the defendant carried out a preparatory act of terrorism. He had the duty to explain himself, but failed to do so,” Omotosho said.
Justice Omotosho also convicted him on counts two, three and four.
He held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South East states, in his many broadcasts constituted acts of terrorism.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho read transcripts, quoting Kanu’s comments.
The judge stated, “While responding to a caller, the defendant urged his callers to ambush the security forces during the protests and cut them off.
“He said, ‘Go to the bush. You need to cut them off from the back, ambush them, take their guns from them and kill them.
“’They are animals and not human beings. They may be wearing uniforms like police or soldier, but they are animals. Disarm them and kill them.’
“’If you allow them to escape, your life is over, and I want, I want Lagos Airport to be on flame. Breach the perimeter fence and burned down the Lagos airport. If you have a double-barrel or pistol, go to the airport and burn it down.
“Set Muritala Muhammed Airport on fire. Set it ablaze right now. You are dealing with animals. Fulani janjaweed; they do not reason.’”
