The Federal High Court in Abuja has found the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, guilty on Counts One, Two and Three of the terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a major turning point in the long-running case, which has spanned several years and drawn national and international attention.
Accordingly, Justice James Omotosho upheld the prosecution’s evidence, which alleged that Kanu used a broadcast to threaten violence against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The judge summarised the count as follows: “Committing an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria by making a broadcast, threatening that people will die and the world will be at a standstill.”
Justice Omotosho held that the evidence clearly established that the IPOB leader instigated actions capable of terrorising the public.
While delivering the ruling, the judge said, “Kanu knew what he was doing; he was bent on carrying out these threats without consideration to his own people.”
He added that the prosecution’s unchallenged evidence showed that Kanu’s directives amounted to preparatory acts of terrorism.
“He had the duty to explain himself but failed to do so,” the court stated.
At exactly 1:02 pm, Justice Omotosho further noted that material evidence tendered in court demonstrated that Kanu ordered the controversial sit-at-home directive in the South-East.
The judge emphasised that the order, which had caused economic paralysis and widespread fear across the region, reinforced the prosecution’s claims that Kanu instigated acts amounting to terrorism.
Count two states that Kanu issued a deadly threat that anyone who flouted his sit at home order would be killed.
While in count three, he professed himself to be a member and leader of IPOB.
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