The Federal High Court, Abuja has found the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, guilty of all the seven counts charge of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, cited prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu made violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for the conviction.
Earlier, the judge has ordered that the defendant be removed from court over his unruly behaviour.
Kanu became unruly after the judge dismissed his applications to stop trial, grant him bail or refer his court to the Court of Appeal.
Justice Omotosho cited the provision of the law which allow him to deliver judgement in the absence of unruly defendant.
Kanu was convicted for being a leader of proscribed organisation, declaring sit at home, inciting several attacks on security personnel and act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Omotosho described him as international terrorist for threatening British High Commission and America Embassy.
The judge lamented that victims of Kanu’s actions are his people who he claimed to be protecting.
Charge Of Terrorism: Nnamdi Kanu Judgement Proceedings
Count 1
Committing an act of terrorism against FRN by making broadcast by threatening that people will die and the world will be at a standstill.
Mr Kanu knew what he was doing, he was bent on carrying out these threats without consideration to his own people.
From the incontroverted evidence it is clear that the defendant carried out preparatory act of terrorism.
He had the duty to explain himself but failed to do so.
On count 2
The defendant carrying out threats to anyone who fails to obey at home order in the south-eastern state of Nigeria
Evidence by the prosecution shows that the defendant issued these threats.
It is unconstitutional act ordering a sit at home, which violates the right of others citizens.
The declaration without any constitutional powers is a terrorist act
Count 3
Belonging to a proscribed organization
Evidence by the prosecution showed that Mr Kanu was not only a member but the leader of the IPOB a proscribed group.
In several broadcasts, Mr Kanu admitted to being a member of IPOB
There is nothing before this court to prove otherwise
He also belongs to the ESN which is the armed wing of IPOB
Section 122 of the evidence act, in view of an order made by Justice Binta Nyako in a case between the AGF Vs IPOB in which the declares the activities of IPOB illegal and the group a terrorist organization
The gazetted judgment was tendered by the prosecution
Count 4 and 5
Inciting the killing of security personnel
Provoking unlawful behavior by calling for attacks on police officers and their families is tantamount to acts of terrorism.
Over 128 police officers were killed, military officers 37 other security officers 10.
INEC buildings as well as police stations were burnt down, which shows the extent of Mr Kanu’s incitement
During the ENDSARS protest the incitement of Mr Kanu contributed to the damage done during the protest
Kanu turned himself to a Tyrant
Court Names Nnamdi Kanu International Terrorist
Count 6
Making a broadcast in Nigeria against the federal government where he ordered members of IPOB to manufacture Bombs and other explosives
Mr Kanu called on graduates of chemical engineering and chemistry in a broadcast to manufacture any Molotov cocktails.
This is a terrorist act. Through Radio Biafra Kanu carried out many act of terrorism
Court names Nnamdi Kanu as International Terrorist due to his intention to bomb the American Embassy and to kill the then British high commissioner Catriona Laing
