The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty on several terrorism offences.
Justice James Omotosho, who earlier convicted Kanu in all the seven counts preferred against him, held that the Federal Government had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Kanu in the terrorism offences.
Justice Omotosho consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five and six, instead of death sentence penalty. He was also sentenced to a 20-year jail term on count three amd committed him to three years imprisonment on count seven.
Shortly after court session began Thursday, Kanu openly challenged the status of the court in the prolonged legal battle with the Federal Government. He was promply escorted out of court by security operatives.
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 had been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, following his controversial interception and return to Nigeria from Kenya in circumstances his lawyers describe as “extraordinary rendition”.
He was charged with 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. The court announced the date while ruling on the matter after Kanu failed to open his defence, having exhausted the six days allocated to him by the court to present his defence.
Crediblenewsng.com
