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A federal high court in Abuja has found Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), guilty on all seven counts of terrorism filed against him by the federal government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that the prosecution had successfully established every allegation.
He noted that Kanu offered no credible defence and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.
Omotosho described the IPOB leader as “a person who cannot be allowed to remain in the company of sane minds”.
He added that Kanu’s long-held claim of being a freedom fighter could not excuse actions taken outside the bounds of the law.
“I must say, here, that the defendant has always claimed to be a freedom fighter and only seeking justice for his people… Any self-determination not done in accordance with the rules and laws of the country is illegal,” the judge said.
According to the judge, Kanu pursued his agitation through “brutal force and terrorism”, an approach he said resulted in the “bloodshed of innocent citizens”.
Omotosho also commended the prosecution witnesses, observing their calm demeanour despite what he described as provocative questioning, and concluding that they were “witnesses of truth”.
THE ALLEGATIONS
The prosecution alleged that Kanu, an indigene of Afara Ukwu, of Abia state, as a member of and leader of proscribed IPOB sometimes in September 2021, committed an act of terrorism against Nigeria and its people by allegedly making a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria with intent to intimidate the population, threatened that the people would die and that the whole world would standstill.
The offence is said to be punishable under section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2015.
The prosecution accused him of committing “an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism” against Nigeria and its people, who made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of the court, with the intent to intimidate the population, and issued a death threat against anyone who flouted his sit-at-home order.
Kanu allegedly ordered that whoever flouted the order should “write his/her will”, and as a result, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, and fuel stations domiciled in the eastern states of Nigeria must not open for business.
Citizens and vehicular movements in the eastern states of Nigeria, the prosecution said, were grounded as a result of the sit-at-home order.
The prosecution said the offence is punishable under section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act (2013).
The prosecution also alleged that “on diverse dates” between 2018 and 2021 within the jurisdiction of this court, Kanu professed himself to be a member and leader of IPOB, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria.
This, the prosecution said, was an offence contrary to and punishments under section 16 of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2015.
The prosecution also alleged that Kanu, on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021, made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria inciting members of the public to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel.
The offence, according to the prosecution, is punishable under section 1(2)(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.
Kanu was accused of inciting Nigerians to hunt and kill families of Nigerian security personnel. The offence is said to be punishable under 1(2)(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.
Kanu allegedly directed members of the public to manufacture bombs and other explosive devices ex to destroy the country in several broadcasts between 2018 and 2021.
The alleged offences, the prosecution says, are punishable under section 1(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment) Act 2013.
The prosecution further alleged that on diverse dates between March and April 2015, Kanu was illegally imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubuluisiuzo in Ihiala LGA of Anambra state, a radio transmitter known as Tram 50L, concealed in a container of used household items which he declared as used household items.
The alleged offence was said to be contrary to section 47(2)(a) of Criminal Code Act Cap c45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
