Justice James Omotosho has classified the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as an “international terrorist.”.Read Original/Full Content.
Delivering judgement in the terrorism case filed by the Federal Government against Kanu, the judge stated that he declared Kanu an international terrorist due to his intention to “bomb the British High Commission, and to kill the then British high commissioner Catriona Laing.”
Justice Omotosho holds that Kanu extended his terrorism act to the United States of America, when he ordered that the American Embassy be brought down, in a broadcast.
The judge had earlier found Kanu guilty on count one, two, three, four, five, six and seven.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a major turning point in the long-running case, which has spanned several years and drawn national and international attention.
According to Naija News, Justice James Omotosho upheld the prosecution’s evidence, which alleged that Kanu used a broadcast to threaten violence against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court holds that Nnamdi Kanu issued threats to Nigerians including his people he claimed to be fighting for.
That Nnamdi Kanu carried out violence using his radio broadcast, which led to the death of many people.
Justice Omotosho also declared that all these violent statements from Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcast as evidence before the court were deliberate as he believes in violence.
Court held that the sit at home order by the defendant, Nnamdi Kanu led to the killing of Ahmed Gulak.
NAIJANEWS
Nnamdi Kanu sentenced to life imprisonment
By Adegbite Taoheed
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment instead of death sentence.
Justice Omotosho gave the announced the sentencing on Thursday after hour-long judgment where the IPOB leader was convicted on all the counts of terrorism charges by the Department of States Security (DSS), on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.
The judge held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South-Eastern states of the country, in his many broadcasts constitute acts of terrorism.
The court also convicted the IPOB leader on count three that, he (Kanu), on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021, professed himself to be a member of the IPOB, a proscribed organization in Nigeria.
Kanu removed from courtroom
Earlier, Justice Omotosho ordered Kanu to be removed from the courtroom after he became unruly midway into proceedings.
The judge had ruled and dismissed three fresh motions filed by the IPOB leader after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.
As the judge moved to deliver the ruling, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he was yet to file his final written address.
Raising his voice, Kanu accused the trial judge of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.
Kanu has since been moved out of the courtroom, while judge is preparing to read the final judgment..Read Original/Full Content.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE