- Court Finds Nnamdi Kanu Guilty On Multiple Terrorism Counts .
- Court ruled his broadcasts incited violence and encouraged attacks nationwide.
- Judgment cites threats, sit at home order and possession of banned equipment.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has found the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, guilty on Counts One, Two and Three of the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a significant moment in a case that has spanned several years and drawn national and international interest.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice James Omotosho upheld the prosecution’s argument that Kanu used a broadcast to threaten violence against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Summarising the charge, the judge stated, “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 ruled that the evidence before the court showed that Kanu instigated actions capable of causing fear and unrest.
He 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 unchallenged evidence presented by the prosecution indicated 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, the judge further noted that material evidence demonstrated that Kanu ordered the controversial sit at home directive in the South East. The court stressed that the order, which had led to widespread economic disruption and fear, supported the case that Kanu instigated acts amounting to terrorism.
Count two centred on the allegation that Kanu issued a deadly threat that anyone who violated the sit at home order would be killed.
Count three established that he professed himself to be a member and leader of IPOB.
Speaking on count four, the court held that the prosecution proved its case that Kanu used a 2021 broadcast to incite violence against Nigeria’s armed forces and law enforcement officers. The ruling stated, “In the count filed against him, Kanu made a broadcast in 2021 to incite the people of Nigeria to kill all security personnel.”
Justice Omotosho described the broadcast as deliberate and inflammatory, noting that it was intended to provoke large scale attacks on soldiers, police officers and other security operatives. The judge said that in Count Five, Kanu made another broadcast urging attacks not only on security personnel but also on their families. “In count 5, he made a broadcast to hunt and kill families of Nigeria security personnel,” Omotosho said.
The court held that these actions amounted to terrorism under Nigerian law and contributed to rising insecurity in some regions. According to the ruling, Kanu was also found guilty of making a broadcast directing IPOB members to manufacture guns. Count seven stated that he imported and kept in his possession a Radio Biafra equipment.
