After a decade of back-and-forth between the Nigerian government and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Federal High Court in Abuja has finally delivered its verdict on Nnamdi Kanu. The court on Thursday convicted the IPOB leader for terrorism-related offences, marking a major turning point in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the long-running case, read the judgement for several hours before declaring Kanu guilty on one of the main terrorism counts. According to the judge, evidence brought before the court clearly established that the IPOB leader committed acts that fall under terrorism.
Although Kanu was in court earlier, he was escorted out after causing a disruption. Before leaving, he insisted that the court had no authority to try him and demanded to see the specific law he was said to have violated.
His removal did not stop the proceedings, as Justice Omotosho continued delivering the judgement in his absence.
The ruling also touched on other allegations, including his role in the declaration of sit-at-home orders across the South-East. The full judgement on the remaining counts was still being delivered as of the time of filing this report.
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal journey began in 2015 when he was first arrested on charges bordering on treason. After fleeing the country, he was rearrested in 2021 in Kenya and returned to Nigeria to continue facing trial.
His conviction also comes just months after another pro-Biafra figure, Simon Ekpa leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile was jailed for six years in Finland for inciting violence in Nigeria.
This latest judgement marks a significant chapter in Nigeria’s long-standing confrontation with separatist movements and is expected to draw reactions from across the country and beyond.
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