Court Convicts Nnamdi Kanu of Terrorism, Sentences Him to Life in Prison

A Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, on multiple terrorism charges on Thursday. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment and imposed a life sentence after Kanu’s removal from the courtroom for disruptive behaviour. The ruling followed a trial marked by years of legal battles over threats, incitement, and violence tied to Biafra separatism.

Kanu faced seven counts, including broadcasts that urged attacks on security forces and civilians. The court found him guilty on four charges, citing evidence from videos and statements dating back to 2020. These acts, the judge ruled, sowed fear across the South-East and beyond, forcing deserted streets and ruined livelihoods.

Justice Omotosho branded Kanu not just a local terrorist but an international one. Kanu had threatened to bomb the United States Embassy and attack the British High Commission in Nigeria. He also incited violence against former British High Commissioner Catriona Laing, a protected figure, and called for attacks on military and police convoys.

The judge highlighted Kanu’s role in enforcing sit-at-home orders through threats. He warned shop owners of being burned alive for defying shutdowns in Biafraland. Such commands, the court said, crippled communities, left farmlands untended, and sparked chaos during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, where officers died and properties burned.

During the session, Kanu shouted accusations of bias at the judge. He demanded proof of the laws used against him, calling any ruling “complete rubbish.” After repeated outbursts, officers removed him, allowing proceedings to continue in his absence.

Kanu has languished in custody since June 2021, after authorities brought him back from abroad. His supporters decry the process as unfair, but the court rejected claims of denied rights. This verdict ends a painful chapter for a man whose words ignited deep divisions.

Families shattered by the unrest he inspired now face a hollow victory. Violence claimed lives and dreams in pursuit of freedom, leaving scars that time alone cannot heal. Nigeria must confront these wounds with justice that binds, not breaks.