The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of terrorism offences.
Justice James Omotosho, who earlier convicted Kanu in all the seven counts preferred against him, held that the Federal Government had been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against Kanu in the terrorism offences.
Justice Omotosho consequently sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment in counts one, four, five and six, instead of death sentence penalty.
According to the judge, life is sacred to God.
The judge, who sentenced Kanu to a 20-year jail term in count three, however, committed him to three years imprisonment in count seven.
The Court convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on all seven counts of terrorism offences.
The judge held that the evidence of the prosecution was uncontroverted, Kanu, having failed to open his defence.
The judge dismissed Kanu’s argument that the charges against him were invalid because they were based on the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act 2013.
He said the defendant did not present any evidence in his rebuttal of the charge.
According to him, this court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution.
Justice Omotosho formulated four issues for determination in the his decision.
These include, “whether the defendant was denied his right to fair hearing, whether the claim of extra-ordinary rendition of the defendant Invalidate the case.
“Whether the provisions under which the defendant is being tried are repealed laws and whether the prosecution has been able to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The judge, who said any self-determination not done in accordance with the law of the country would be illegal, noting that Kanu was going about using terrorism as a weapon to terrorise the people.
He said it was unfortunate to note that the defendant, who called himself a freedom fighter had terrorised his own people and those of his Christian faith.
“He is a terrorist and must be treated as such.
“The prosecution has been able to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“Consequently, the defendant is hereby convicted in all the seven counts as charged,” the judge said.
