Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment on Terrorism Charges
A court in Abuja on Thursday delivered a major verdict against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, finding him guilty on seven terrorism-related counts and sentencing him to life in prison.
Kanu, who leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been at the center of long-running tensions in the South-East. Authorities accuse his movement of being behind violent attacks, intimidation, and extrajudicial killings linked to its campaign for an independent Biafran state.
During the trial, government lawyers argued that Kanu’s actions went far beyond political advocacy. They said he was responsible for directing terrorism-related activities, enforcing the Monday “sit-at-home” shutdowns that have repeatedly disrupted daily life in the region, inciting supporters through broadcasts, and even giving instructions on bomb-making intended for use against government facilities. Kanu maintained his refusal to acknowledge the court’s legitimacy throughout the proceedings.
In his judgment, Justice James Omotosho drew a line between lawful agitation and criminal conduct. He noted that while self-determination is recognized as a political right, it must be pursued within the framework of Nigeria’s constitution — anything outside that boundary, he said, becomes illegal.
Although the prosecution pressed for the death sentence, the judge declined, saying the court was choosing a more compassionate approach. He added that the global community is increasingly opposed to capital punishment, and this perspective influenced his final decision.
