BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Handed Life Imprisonment After Terrorism Conviction Over Illegal Broadcasts And Sit Home Orders [VIDEO]

 

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment following his conviction on seven counts related to terrorism. The ruling comes four years after Kanu’s controversial arrest in Kenya and his subsequent extradition to Nigeria.

The court, presided over by Justice Omotosho, convicted Kanu on all seven charges, despite his not guilty pleas. Prosecutors argued that Kanu’s activities, especially his radio broadcasts via Radio Biafra, amounted to preparatory acts of terrorism. According to the judgment, those broadcasts incited violence, including calls for the killing of police and military personnel, thereby undermining national security.

Judge Omotosho further emphasized that Kanu’s order for a “sit-at-home” across South-Eastern states constituted a grave violation of citizens’ rights. The court held that such orders impeded freedom of movement and harmed the daily lives of people in those regions. In the view of the judge, Kanu had no constitutional authority to impose a sit-at-home directive, and doing so demonstrated a willingness to use coercion and fear to achieve his objectives.

Evidence presented during the trial established that Kanu used his broadcasts as a platform to radicalize followers. Prosecutors argued that his rhetoric was explicitly violent: he allegedly instructed his listeners to target and kill specific categories of state security agents. The court agreed that those instructions went beyond political agitation, interpreting them as acts of terrorism in preparation for more violent objectives.

Security agents were ordered to remove Kanu from the courtroom after an eruption of drama. He had refused to allow the judgment to proceed on the terrorism charge, and his behavior led to him being forcibly escorted out, according to court records. That incident underscored the volatility of his stance and his rejection of the court’s authority over him.

During sentencing, Justice Omotosho made clear that the court viewed Kanu’s actions as not only criminal but also damaging to national cohesion. The sit-at-home orders, according to the judgment, disrupted economic activity, prevented ordinary citizens from going about their work, and fostered fear among those who resisted compliance. By issuing such orders, Kanu was said to have infringed upon the fundamental rights of Nigerians to move freely in their own country.

The court’s finding that Kanu had orchestrated “preparatory terrorism” rested heavily on his radio addresses. It determined that he did not merely broadcast political commentary; rather, he strategically planned and encouraged violence. The judge characterized his messages as a threat to the security of Nigeria, asserting that he used Radio Biafra to mobilize supporters for a campaign of hostility against state institutions.

Over the years, IPOB has been a polarizing movement in Nigeria’s Southeast, with supporters demanding secession while critics accuse its leadership of encouraging militant behavior. The court’s verdict now delivers a decisive blow to Kanu, arguably the most prominent and controversial face of the group.

Reactions to the sentencing are expected to be intense and varied. Some observers will likely view the life sentence as an affirmation that no one is above the law, particularly when national security is at stake. Others may decry the ruling as politically motivated, calling into question the fairness of the trial, especially given Kanu’s allegations of mistreatment and his dramatic arrest abroad.

Supporters of IPOB may also see this as a martyrdom moment, potentially galvanizing further dissent. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government will likely present the judgment as vindication of its long-held position that Kanu’s activities were destabilizing and unjustifiable.

As the news spreads across Nigeria and beyond, many analysts will be watching how this verdict affects the broader separatist movement. Whether it dampens the resolve of IPOB’s followers or intensifies their commitment remains to be seen. For now, however, the court has spoken: Nnamdi Kanu is guilty on all terrorism charges, and he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Video of Justice Omotosha sentencing NNAMDI KANU to life imprisonment https://t.co/4Iv6cENQOV pic.twitter.com/1GCr1KsbrK

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) November 20, 2025