The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been convicted for alleged terrorism by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Omotosho proclaimed the verdict Thursday after Kanu, who became unruly in court, was escorted out of court by security operatives.
Justice Omotosho made the conviction in the first of seven counts slammed on the IPOB Leader. He is still ruling on the six other charges, all of which also carry a maximum of death sentence. Justice Omotosho is expected to announce Nnamdi Kanu’s sentence later.
Before announcing the conviction, Justice Omotosho accused Kanu of being unruly and disrespecting the court. He said that the rudeness of the IPOB Leader climaxed with his disruption of the court’s proceedings.
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Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his controversial interception and return to Nigeria from Kenya in circumstances his lawyers describe as “extraordinary rendition”.
He is facing seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security—allegations he vehemently denies.
Justice Omotosho, on November 7, fixed Thursday to deliver judgment in the charges brought against Kanu after the accussed failed to open his defence, having exhausted the six days allocated to him by the court to present his defence.
The story is developing.
