Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment instead of death sentence for terrorism conviction, following appeal to tamper justice with mercy.
Justice Omotosho announced the sentencing on Thursday after hour-long judgment where the IPOB leader was convicted on all the counts of terrorism charges against him by the Department of States Security (DSS), on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.
According to the judge, the convict was sentenced to life imprisonment for count one, two, four, five and six which carry death penalty.
The convict also got jail terms for count three and seven, which according to the judge, will run concurrently.
The judge held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South-Eastern states of the country, in his many broadcasts constitute acts of terrorism.
The court also convicted the IPOB leader on count three that, he (Kanu), on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021, professed himself to be a member of the IPOB, a proscribed organization in Nigeria.
Kanu removed from courtroom
Earlier, Justice Omotosho ordered Kanu to be removed from the courtroom after he became unruly midway into proceedings.
The judge had ruled and dismissed three fresh motions filed by the IPOB leader after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.
As the judge moved to deliver the ruling, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he was yet to file his final written address.
Raising his voice, Kanu accused the trial judge of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.
Kanu has since been moved out of the courtroom, while judge is preparing to read the final judgment.
Nigerian Tribune
