The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six of his terrorism charges, instead of the death penalty.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho also sentenced Kanu to 20 years imprisonment on count three and five years imprisonment on count seven, with no option of fine. The court ruled that all sentences shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho said, “I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of the death sentence. With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine. For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine. To extend mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”
Kanu was previously convicted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The court noted that while the gravity of the offenses technically warranted the death penalty, judicial discretion allowed for leniency in imposing life imprisonment.
The charges against Kanu, which were the culmination of a trial spanning over ten years, included acts of terrorism, incitement to kill security personnel, destruction of public property, and international terrorism.
The court had briefly adjourned after the conviction to prepare for sentencing, underscoring the seriousness of the offenses and the legal considerations in determining appropriate punishment.
Kanu was convicted of all seven counts preferred against him even though the IPOB leader pleaded non-guilty to the charges.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that the decision to impose life imprisonment reflects both the severity of Kanu’s crimes and mitigating factors considered by the court.
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