A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.
Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, held that the prosecution provided credible evidence showing that Kanu’s broadcasts on Radio Biafra incited violence, destruction of government facilities, and loss of lives across several states. He stated that although the law permits the death penalty, he opted for life imprisonment “in obedience to a Biblical injunction to show mercy.”
Kanu received life sentences on counts 1, 4, 5, and 6; 20 years on count 3; and five years on count 7. The sentences will run concurrently. The court also ordered that he be held in “protective custody” in a correctional facility outside Kuje due to his “tendency for violence,” and directed that his seized radio transmitter be forfeited to the government.
Widespread Condemnation Across Igbo Communities
The ruling sparked immediate backlash from South-East leaders, women groups, and community organisations. Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara accused the court of bias, noting that a Boko Haram leader had received only a five-year sentence just 24 hours earlier. He described Kanu as “a non-violent freedom agitator” and insisted the ruling would be appealed.
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) rejected the judgment outright, alleging that it appeared “pre-written.” IWA President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, who witnessed the proceedings, said the ruling confirmed fears that separate laws were being applied to Igbo citizens.
Similarly, former Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe said the decision was “foretold,” arguing that Nigeria applies leniency to violent groups in other regions while being “uncompromisingly harsh” towards South-Easterners.
Calls for Clemency and Allegations of Double Standards
House of Representatives member Obinna Aguocha pleaded for leniency during allocutus, saying national stability required reconciliation, not escalation. His plea was rejected.
Former presidential aide Josef Onoh criticised what he called double standards, pointing out that the same government rehabilitates “repentant terrorists” while demanding the death penalty for Kanu, whose agitation he described as “politically provocative but largely non-violent.”
The Igbo Community Association in Abuja condemned the verdict, arguing that Kanu was not allowed to fully defend himself. They warned that the ruling threatened the fragile peace currently enjoyed in the region.
Tense Mood in South-East as States Heighten Security
In Abia State, where Kanu’s ancestral home is located, security was intensified around the Government House in Umuahia. Armed police were seen stationed at major entry and exit points, a move believed to be a precaution against potential unrest.
Despite the heavy security presence, Vanguard checks revealed that the city remained calm but emotionally charged. Many residents expressed bitterness, while others spoke in hushed tones about the implications of the ruling.
Across parts of Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi, residents also reacted with a mixture of resignation and disappointment. Some pointed out that several previous judgments in Kanu’s favour were ignored, making the latest decision unsurprising.
A Case Spanning a Decade
Kanu’s legal journey began in 2015 when he was first arrested on his return from the UK. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country after a military raid on his home. In 2021, he was re-arrested in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria, where he has remained in detention.
Over the years, multiple charges were dismissed at different judicial levels, including an order by the Court of Appeal for his release in 2022 — a ruling later suspended after the Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court.
With yesterday’s judgment, the 10-year trial at the Federal High Court has reached a turning point, though appeals are expected in the coming weeks.