A Federal High Court in Abuja has found Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), guilty on all seven terrorism‑related charges brought against him by the federal government.
Presiding Judge James Omotosho delivered the judgment, saying the prosecution had successfully proven each allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
The court noted that Kanu failed to provide a credible defence and “deliberately refused” to counter the evidence presented by the government. The judge said this failure meant that the facts provided by the prosecution were taken as admitted, leaving Kanu without a valid legal rebuttal.
Part of the evidence against Kanu included his public broadcasts and statements, which prosecutors argued were used to incite violence and issue “stay‑at‑home” orders in parts of the southeast. The government maintained that these actions constituted terrorism and posed a threat to public safety.
Kanu was also convicted for leading and being a member of the proscribed IPOB organisation. The court emphasized that his actions had a destabilizing effect on national security, particularly in the southeastern region of Nigeria.
In his defence, Kanu had challenged the jurisdiction of the court and argued that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act had been repealed. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that he had been given ample opportunity to present his case but declined to do so.
Observers said the ruling represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to prosecute terrorism and address separatist violence in the southeast. The conviction is expected to have significant political implications while highlighting the government’s determination to enforce its anti‑terrorism laws.
