A Nigerian court has convicted separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu of seven terrorism-related charges.

Kanu founded the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been accused of terrorism and extra-judicial killings in the country’s eastern region, and called for the creation of an independent state out of southeastern Nigeria.

The charges against him include carrying out acts of terrorism, issuing and violently enforcing stay-at-home orders that still bring the southeastern region to a halt every Monday, giving guidance on how to make bombs to be used on government facilities, and incitement.

A Lagos-based geopolitical consultancy, SBM Intelligence, earlier this year reported that the violent enforcement of the stay-at-home orders had resulted in at least 700 deaths and cost the country 7.6 trillion naira ($5.3 billion).

Kanu has sought to revive the short-lived Biafra, a seceded region of Nigeria between 1967 and 1970, which sparked the Nigerian Civil War during that period. At least 3 million people were killed before the Biafran troops surrendered.

Judge James Omotosho stated that the right to self-determination is a political right, adding, “Any self-determination not done according to the constitution of Nigeria is illegal.”

The judge pronounced that Nigeria is an indivisible state and can’t be divided, adding that anyone agitating for a break up of Nigeria is breaking the law.

“The defendant is using terrorism as a weapon to bring secession to Nigeria. The defendant did not threaten Nigeria only, but his own people.”
Judge James Omotosho

The judge held 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. He classified Nnamdi Kanu as an “international terrorist,” saying that this is due to his intention to “bomb the British High Commission, and to kill the then British high commissioner Catriona Laing.”

Kanu’s trial has been one of Nigeria’s most talked about legal battles in recent years. He was first arrested in 2015 and charged with treasonable felony and terrorism, but the case has since taken numerous turns.

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

In June 2021, he was re-arrested in Kenya under contentious circumstances and brought back to Nigeria, a move his legal team and IPOB describe as an “extraordinary rendition.”

Judgement Delivered In Nnamdi Kanu’s Absence

download 38 — Separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

As Justice Omotosho prepared to deliver judgment, Kanu insisted that he must be allowed time to present his final written address.

The demand sparked a brief outburst in the courtroom, with the IPOB leader challenging the judge to cite any constitutional provision that permitted the waiver of such a right.

“You don’t know the law. Show me where you have the right to waive my right to a final address. Show me what the Constitution says, you cannot show me!”
Nnamdi Kanu

Judge Omotosho maintained that the trial had already passed the stage of final addresses and urged the defendant to conduct himself appropriately in the courtroom.

Despite the judge’s warning, Kanu persisted in his outburst, prompting the judge to direct security operatives to remove him from the court. The IPOB leader was subsequently escorted out, and Justice Omotosho proceeded to deliver the final judgment in his absence.

The judge stated that it is a constitutional right for a defendant to be present in his trial. He said that he appealed to Kanu severally, but “in his usual manner, he refused to comport himself.”