After several years of standing trial on terrorism allegations, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Ommotosho on Thursday evening.
Justice Omotosho sentences Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on count 1, 2, 4,5, 6 instead of death sentence.
In count 3- sentenced to 20years imprisonment. In count 7- sentenced to 5 years. The sentencing will run concurrently.
Judge says Kanu must be kept in a facility that will be suitable for his custody, as putting him in Kuje Correctional Center will not be viable.
Justice Omotosho is asking Kanu’s lawyers turned consultants to introduce themselves. He wants them to give the feedback of the sentence to Kanu. Tells them to act professionally. “It is abysmal of the defendant slapping his counsel in public.”
Kanu’s trial has been one of Nigeria’s most talked about legal battles in recent years. He was first arrested in 2015 and charged with treasonable felony and terrorism, but the case has since taken numerous turns.
In 2017, Kanu fled the country while out on bail, following a military operation at his residence during the time of “Operation Python Dance” In the South-East.
In June 2021, he was arrested in Kenya under contentious circumstances and brought back to Nigeria, a move his legal team and IPOB describe as an “extraordinary rendition.”
Moment Nnamdi sat in court, awaiting the commencement of the judgment on his case.
Upon his return, the charges were expanded to 15 counts, including terrorism and incitement to violence.
Kanu’s defense has repeatedly challenged the trial’s legitimacy. They argue that fundamental legal and procedural errors, including possible violations of international extradition law and jurisdictional rules, undermine the prosecution’s case.
