In a landmark judgment that has captured national attention, the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on all seven terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Court Rejects Kanu's Legal Challenge
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho delivered the verdict on Thursday, November 20, 2025, after dismissing Kanu's motion seeking to block the judgment. The IPOB leader had argued that the terrorism legislation used to prosecute him had been repealed and was therefore invalid. However, Justice Omotosho firmly rejected this submission, paving the way for the conviction.
The court noted that Kanu had failed to open his defense or call any witnesses to counter the allegations presented by the prosecution. Earlier in September, the judge had dismissed Kanu's no-case submission, stating that the government had successfully established a prima facie case against him.
The Seven Terrorism Charges
Nnamdi Kanu was found guilty on all counts, which included serious allegations related to his activities with the proscribed IPOB organization. The specific charges encompassed:
- Engaging in acts of terrorism
- Belonging to and leading a proscribed group (IPOB)
- Threatening and killing security operatives
- Burning properties
- Concealment of terrorism activities
- Committing acts of terrorism through broadcasts
- Issuing "sit-at-home" orders that disrupted public life in Southeast Nigeria
During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho made a significant statement regarding self-determination movements, declaring: "The right to self-determination is a political right. Any self-determination not done according to the constitution of Nigeria is illegal."
Dramatic Courtroom Scene
The judgment delivery was marked by dramatic moments when Kanu repeatedly interrupted proceedings, shouting that the trial judge must show him where Nigerian law stated he was not entitled to file a written address in his case. Following these outbursts, Justice Omotosho temporarily halted the session and ordered security agents to remove Kanu from the courtroom to restore order.
This conviction represents the latest development in the long-running legal battle involving the IPOB leader, who was re-arrested in 2021 and brought back from Kenya after initially failing to appear in court in 2015. Kanu had been advocating for the creation of an independent Biafran state from southeastern Nigeria, seeking to revive the short-lived Republic of Biafra that existed between 1967 and 1970, which sparked the Nigerian Civil War that claimed an estimated 3 million lives.
