A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Presiding Judge James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved its case using video evidence in which Kanu issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. The judge ruled that the IPOB leader’s repeated broadcasts, which called for attacks and killings in pursuit of Biafran secession, constituted acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.
The court found Kanu guilty on counts one and two, which centred on making a series of incendiary broadcasts designed to incite violence and enforce illegal sit-at-home orders across the South-East region. According to the judge, these directives—often accompanied by threats of harm—created fear, disrupted economic activities, and contributed to widespread insecurity.
Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s statements, including threats to burn shops belonging to those who defied the sit-at-home orders, were “unconstitutional, subversive, and notorious,” adding that they forced residents to abandon public spaces and farmlands.
Kanu was also convicted on counts four and five for inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, which the court said led to the killing of security personnel and the destruction of government property in Lagos.
The presiding judge dismissed Kanu’s claims that he was denied a fair hearing, insisting that due process was followed throughout the trial. He further observed that the offences carry a maximum penalty of death under Nigerian law.
Kanu, who described himself as founder and Director of Radio and Television Biafra, was quoted in one of the broadcasts presented as evidence as saying that the Nigerian Army would “die” and that “everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.”
The ruling marks a significant development in the long-running legal battle between the IPOB leader and the Federal Government.
More updates to follow.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi
Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.Delivering judgment on Thursday, Presiding Judge James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved its case using video evidence in which Kanu issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. The judge ruled that the IPOB leader’s repeated broadcasts, which called for attacks and killings in pursuit of Biafran secession, constituted acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.
The court found Kanu guilty on counts one and two, which centred on making a series of incendiary broadcasts designed to incite violence and enforce illegal sit-at-home orders across the South-East region. According to the judge, these directives—often accompanied by threats of harm—created fear, disrupted economic activities, and contributed to widespread insecurity.
Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s statements, including threats to burn shops belonging to those who defied the sit-at-home orders, were “unconstitutional, subversive, and notorious,” adding that they forced residents to abandon public spaces and farmlands.
Kanu was also convicted on counts four and five for inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, which the court said led to the killing of security personnel and the destruction of government property in Lagos.
The presiding judge dismissed Kanu’s claims that he was denied a fair hearing, insisting that due process was followed throughout the trial. He further observed that the offences carry a maximum penalty of death under Nigerian law.
Kanu, who described himself as founder and Director of Radio and Television Biafra, was quoted in one of the broadcasts presented as evidence as saying that the Nigerian Army would “die” and that “everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra.”
The ruling marks a significant development in the long-running legal battle between the IPOB leader and the Federal Government.
- More updates to follow.
