The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has convicted the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian Government.
Penpushing reports that the Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment on Thursday cited prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu made violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for the conviction.
The court found Kanu guilty of counts one and two of making a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, in furtherance of his separatist agitation for Biafra, and also held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the South East states, in his many broadcasts, constitute acts of terrorism.
Penpushing further reports that the court equally found Kanu guilty on counts four and five of inciting violence during the #EndSARS protests, resulting in the killing of security personnel and the destruction of government properties in Lagos.
The court also held that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), leader was not denied a fair hearing as claimed by him, while the judge explained that a person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence.
Penpushing also reports that the judge, pointed out that Kanu’s repeated threats of violence and killings, including his directives enforcing sit-at-home orders across the South-East in various broadcasts, amounted to acts of terrorism under the law.
“A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence. The defendant enforced the order of Sit-at-Home in the South East. Saying there will be a complete shutdown of Biafraland. Saying I know some of you are foolish, trying to open your shop around 12 noon. If you do that, we will burn you in that shop.”
Penpushing reports that Omotosho held that Kanu’s orders were unconstitutional, stressing that it is subversive, a notorious act where people in the South East are made to sit at home, everywhere is deserted, even the farmlands
“This is an unconstitutional act that is subversive, a notorious act where people in the South East are made to sit at home, everywhere is deserted, even the farmlands’, the judge emphasized
Penpushing further reports that the court equally held that Kanu, who said he is the founder and Director of Radio and Television of Biafra, made a broadcast to the effect that the Army of Nigeria will die and that everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra
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