The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to hand down the death sentence to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction on seven terrorism charges on Thursday.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, held that the prosecution had proved all allegations against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt.
Immediately after the verdict, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, called on the court to apply the maximum punishment provided under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Awomolo argued that the law prescribes the death penalty for several of the offences for which Kanu was found guilty.
“My Lord, following this conviction, the next step is the lawful imposition of sentence. Under Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, the punishment for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six is death,” he said.
“With respect, this court has no discretion in the matter. The only lawful sentence Your Lordship can impose for these counts is death, and we expect that the court will do so.”
