In a landmark judgment that concludes one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a series of jail terms—among them life imprisonment—to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The court, after reviewing years of submissions and evidence presented by the Federal Government, found Kanu guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges. Justice Omotosho affirmed that the prosecution had successfully proved that Kanu’s broadcasts and directives amounted to calculated acts of terror against the Nigerian state.
Under the sentencing breakdown, Kanu received life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6; 20 years without the option of a fine for count 3; and five years without the option of a fine on count 7.
Furthermore, the judge ordered that Kanu should not be incarcerated at Kuje Prison, where he has previously been detained.
In addition to the custodial sentences, the court directed the forfeiture of Radio Biafra transmitting equipment allegedly used to disseminate the inflammatory broadcasts.
Also, Kanu was barred from accessing social media platforms.
The court described it as tools he had previously used to issue threats and incite unrest.
The Judgement
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho, delivering the judgment on Thursday, said the evidence established that Kanu used multiple broadcasts to issue life-threatening warnings, declare a sit-at-home order across the South-East, and incite attacks on Nigerian security personnel and their families.
These actions, the court held, constituted preparatory and active acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.
According to the judge, Kanu’s statements were neither accidental nor misinterpreted. “He knew precisely what he was doing. The threats were deliberate, coordinated, and intended to terrorise the populace,” Justice Omotosho said, adding that Kanu failed to offer explanations or challenge crucial elements of the prosecution’s case.
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The court pointed out that the controversial sit-at-home order—which significantly disrupted economic activity in the South-East—supported the prosecution’s assertion that Kanu’s directives directly contributed to public fear and regional instability.
The ruling detailed specific allegations:
Count 2: Kanu was accused of threatening that anyone who ignored his sit-at-home directive “would be killed.”
For Count 3: He was found guilty of publicly declaring himself a member and leader of IPOB, a proscribed organisation under Nigerian law.
Count 4: Evidence showed he used a 2021 broadcast to call for attacks on military and police personnel.
Count 5: The court held he went further by urging followers to target the families of security officials.
For Count 6: He was found to have directed IPOB members to manufacture weapons.
Count 7: The prosecution established that he imported and possessed Radio Biafra equipment used to transmit the inflammatory messages.
Conclusion
Justice Omotosho described the broadcasts as “deliberate and inflammatory” and concluded that they were designed to provoke widespread violence, destabilise security formations, and undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria.
The judgment marks one of the most significant developments in the long-running case, which has drawn international scrutiny and shaped public discourse on national security, separatist movements, and the boundaries of free expression in Nigeria.
