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.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has found Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), guilty on all seven counts of terrorism filed against him.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully proved its case, noting that the evidence presented was credible and unchallenged.

The judge emphasised that since Kanu refused to open his defence and instead chose to rely solely on the prosecution’s evidence, the court had no reason not to accept the case as established.

Justice Omotosho is still reading the full judgment as proceedings continue.

More details to follow…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on the first count in the seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.

The first count, threat to violence, was read moments ago by Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the prosecution successfully established the elements of the offence against Kanu.

The court immediately proceeded to the second charge, which borders on Kanu’s alleged directive ordering a sit-at-home across the South-East and issuing threats to kill anyone who stepped out or violated the order.

The judge is currently reading the ruling on count two.

Kanu is standing trial on seven counts, including terrorism, incitement, threats to public safety, and issuing unlawful orders.

Stay tuned for more…

Detail shortly…

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday verbally lashed out at Justice James Omotosho during proceedings in his high-profile terrorism trial.

Speaking in court, Kanu warned the judge, saying:
“God will punish you, now and forever.”

He went further to challenge the legitimacy of the court’s authority, declaring:

“Let it be on record; any judgment delivered in this court is rubbish. Where is the law?”

Kanu continued to question the legal basis for the trial, demanding that the judge identify the law underpinning the proceedings:

“Ask Omotosho, where is the law?”

The comments came amid rising tensions in the courtroom, with Kanu repeatedly asserting that the charges against him lacked legal validity.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered security agents to remove the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the courtroom as he insisted that judgment should not be delivered in the terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu repeatedly questioned the court, demanding to know where the law stated he was not entitled to file a written address before judgment.

In response, the court temporarily halted proceedings to allow security operatives to escort him out of the room.

After Kanu’s removal, Justice Omotosho delivered a ruling dismissing the fresh motions Kanu filed after the case was scheduled for judgment.

The court noted that the motions raised issues that had already been addressed previously.

Specifically, the court rejected Kanu’s request to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, citing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which forbids a stay of proceedings in a criminal matter.

The judge also denied Kanu’s request for bail, noting that some of the points raised in his motions would be considered during the course of the judgment.

Detail shortly…

The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to deliver judgment today in the alleged terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The proceedings will be broadcast live on television.

The court registrar confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday morning.

Cameramen from major stations including NTA, Channels TV, AIT, and TVC are present in the courtroom with their equipment for live coverage.

Justice James Omotosho had on November 7 scheduled today for the judgment after Kanu’s defence was foreclosed.

The judge explained that Kanu chose not to present his defence under a repealed law.

According to Justice Omotosho, Kanu had six days allocated by the court to conduct his defence, which he did not fully utilise.

The judge emphasized that he would have granted an extension if Kanu had chosen to open his defence.

As a result, the court held that Kanu cannot claim he was denied his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.

After years of legal proceedings on terrorism-related charges, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is set to learn his fate today as the court delivers judgment in his case.

Kanu’s trial has been one of the most closely followed legal battles in Nigeria in recent years.

He was first arrested in 2015 and charged with treasonable felony and terrorism, but the case has experienced multiple twists and turns.

In 2017, Kanu fled Nigeria while out on bail, following a military operation at his residence during “Operation Python Dance” in the South-East.

He was later arrested in Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria, a move his lawyers and IPOB have described as an “extraordinary rendition.”

Upon his return, additional charges were added, bringing the total to 15 counts, including terrorism and incitement to violence.

Kanu has consistently challenged the trial’s validity, citing procedural irregularities and alleged violations of international extradition and jurisdictional laws.

Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, is representing the Federal Government, while Kanu is representing himself.

Court proceedings this morning:

• 9:12 AM: Nnamdi Kanu begins speaking, asserting that no judgment should be delivered as he has filed all necessary legal processes.
• 9:14 AM: Justice Omotosho opens the hearing, emphasizing decorum in the courtroom.
• 9:20 AM: Kanu notes he has filed a motion of notice at the Court of Appeal and identifies all motions filed.
• 9:26 AM: The judge consolidates three of Kanu’s motions.
• 9:27 AM: Kanu argues that count 7 does not exist and that it invalidates the trial.
• 9:33 AM: Kanu details motions filed between November 11 and 17, including a request for the prosecution to file its final written address and a plea for bail.

The court is now poised to deliver its judgment, bringing a high-profile chapter of Nigeria’s legal history to a critical moment.

Civil rights organisations have raised alarm over what they describe as deep-seated injustice and abuse of power within Enugu State’s Magistrate Courts, urging Governor Peter Mbah to intervene immediately.

In a petition submitted to the governor, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) detailed two troubling cases it said illustrate a broader pattern of rights violations and corruption in the state’s justice system.

CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo (Esq.), said the cases of Godwin Odey and Yusuf Omotara expose serious failures in the administration of justice, including arbitrary detention, extortion, and refusal by authorities to act.

“This matter clearly shows the grave violations of citizens’ right to access justice in Enugu State and the refusal of authorities to promptly redress these violations,” the petition stated.

Case 1: Man Charged With Murder Despite Airtight Alibi

According to the petition, Godwin Odey, an OND graduate, was arrested while travelling to Abuja and charged with murder, even though he was attending a wedding in Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA at the time of the alleged crime.

CRRAN said the case file has not been transferred to the Attorney-General’s office for legal review, despite repeated requests.

This follows an earlier joint petition by CRRAN and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), published October 8, which alleged that the Attorney-General’s office demanded a ₦50,000 “review fee” before accepting a petition requesting a review of Odey’s case.

The then Attorney-General, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, now a Minister, denied the allegation.

Case 2: Detained for a Week, Nearly ₦5m Removed From Account

CRRAN also highlighted the case of Yusuf Omotara, who was detained for almost a week and had close to ₦5 million withdrawn from his bank account.

According to the petition, the withdrawal was carried out based on a questionable court order allegedly secured by a lawyer in collaboration with a Magistrate Court official.

The organisation described this as a blatant abuse of judicial authority and a violation of Omotara’s rights.

CRRAN argued that Magistrate Courts, being the closest courts to ordinary citizens,should offer quick, fair access to justice, but have instead become hotspots of corruption and arbitrary actions.

“If we aim to achieve an efficient justice system, these illegalities and abnormalities being perpetrated at the Magistrates Courts must be urgently addressed,” Omotayo said.

The group is calling for full investigation of all officials implicated in the abuses, Prosecution of those found culpable, Refund of money unlawfully deducted from Omotara’s account and Structural reforms to ensure justice is not denied due to corruption or administrative neglect.