Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to life imprisonment after ten years of trial.
Justice Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under contentious circumstances and brought back to Nigeria.
The Judge stated that he incited violence during the EndSARS protests and beyond. His incitement caused the killing of security personnel, the burning of police stations, and the destruction of government properties.
After presenting some of the evidence, the court concluded that Kanu aimed to cause anarchy by killing security agencies in Nigeria, which in turn would lead to a breakdown of law and order.
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The judge read, “His violent outburst as well as his instigation of the public to attack and kill security officers in Southern Nigeria without provocation was downright barbaric and without any conscience whatsoever.”
“The defendant did not feel any concern for the family of the officers who were killed. He turned himself into a tyrant who could take life any time he pleased.”
“Such person cannot be allowed to remain in a society of sane minds. His shocking instigation to kill other human beings was incomprehensible and this court hereby condemn him.”
The judge condemned Kanu’s attempt to achieve a Biafra nation through violence, describing it as the work of a terrorist group.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Omotosho said Kanu didn’t show any remorse for his actions, adding that, throughout the trial, the IPOB leader “remained arrogant, corky and full of himself without realising the magnitude of his crime and the effects of what he has done against his people in the South-East.”
Having convicted Kanu of all counts, the presiding judge said he opted for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.
He said: “The death penalty globally is now being frowned upon by the international community, Consequently, in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the said count one, four, five and six.”
