The sensational trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for terrorism and membership of a proscribed organization has come to an end at the Federal High Court in Abuja this Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Presiding Justice James Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on four counts, ruling that the punishment would run concurrently. He said the decision was taken in place of a death sentence.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho said: “I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence. With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment without option of fine. For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine. To extend mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”
The judge said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He convicted Kanu of issuing illegal stay‑at‑home orders in the South‑east, incitement, teaching people to make bombs, and membership of a terrorist organization.
“The defendant knew what he was doing while making these violent threats. The defendant was also bent on achieving his objective with violence and did not mind if his own people died,” Omotosho said.
He cited a video clip of Kanu calling for violence during the Third World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles. “Most of the participants were quite alarmed that they asked him if he had considered the option of peaceful dialogue to which the defendant was adamant,” the judge added.
Evidence of Incitement
Omotosho referenced Kanu’s broadcasts during the EndSARS protests in October 2020, where he incited listeners to burn government facilities and kill security officers.
“His words were not mere words,” the judge said, noting that 128 police officers, 37 military officers, and 10 other security operatives were killed, while 164 police stations and nine INEC offices were destroyed.
“His intention was clear. The defendant had an evil intention to wreak havoc on the people and government of Nigeria. He turned himself into a tyrant who can kill at will. The defendant cannot be allowed to remain in a sane human society,” Omotosho declared.
He described Kanu as “an international terrorist” for directing followers to attack foreign embassies in Nigeria and kill the British High Commissioner.
IPOB Membership and Proscription
The judge ruled that Kanu’s stay‑at‑home order was unconstitutional and amounted to a terrorist act. He cited broadcasts where Kanu incited the Eastern Security Network to take arms against the federal government.
He also quoted Kanu professing to be a member of IPOB. “The evidence before this court is that IPOB is a proscribed group,” Omotosho said, citing the 2017 judgment that designated IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
He stressed that Kanu’s broadcasts after IPOB’s proscription made him guilty of being a member of a terrorist group.
Omotosho noted that Kanu failed to offer any defence despite several opportunities. “The evidence of the prosecution against him was uncontroverted,” he said.
Even with the harsh sentencing, the judge claimed he was being merciful, invoking biblical citations of “Matthew Chapter 23 of the holy Bible in which it preaches mercy.”.
“The court is only being merciful to Kanu because we are joined by our lord Jesus Christ to be merciful. Kanu has not shown any remorse; he is arrogant, cocky and unruly. I will temper justice with mercy,” the judge added.
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