A Federal High Court in Abuja has found Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), guilty on the first of seven terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
Presiding Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution presented “uncontroverted evidence” linking Kanu to broadcasts that threatened violence and aimed to intimidate the public.
According to court documents, Kanu’s speeches include a September 2021 broadcast in which he declared: “people would die … the whole world would stand still.”
The judge also noted that Kanu failed to mount a defence, despite being allotted six days to do so, effectively waiving his right to a full hearing.
This conviction marks a significant moment in the government’s crackdown on IPOB, which has been classified as a proscribed organisation.
Kanu’s sentencing is now expected to follow, as the charges carry a possible sentence of life imprisonment or death under Nigerian terrorism law.
