By Peter Omopo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, bringing an end to one of Nigeria’s most closely watched terrorism trials. The sentence followed the court’s decision to proceed in Kanu’s absence after he was removed from the courtroom for what the judge described as persistent unruly conduct.
Kanu, who has faced multiple terrorism-related charges, was found guilty on counts bordering on incitement, unlawful possession of weapons, and leading a proscribed organisation. The court held that the prosecution sufficiently proved its case.
Security around the court was heightened as the judgment was delivered, with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stationed at strategic points to control movement and prevent unrest.
The sentencing marks a major development in the long-running legal battle between the federal government and the IPOB leader, whose arrest and trial have sparked widespread debate and protests across parts of the country.
Reactions from Kanu’s legal team, family, and supporters are expected in the coming hours.
