A Federal High Court in Nigeria's capital has delivered a landmark verdict, finding Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), guilty on multiple terrorism charges.
Presiding Judge James Omotosho announced the conviction on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following extensive proceedings where the prosecution presented compelling evidence against the separatist leader.
Evidence Presented in Court
The prosecution's case heavily relied on video recordings of Kanu's broadcasts, which the court determined contained explicit violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens. One particularly damning broadcast from September 2021 featured Kanu warning that "people would die" and that "the whole world would stand still."
Judge Omotosho emphasized that these materials demonstrated clear intent, stating: "His intention was quite clear as he believed in violence. These threats of violence were nothing but terrorist acts, which were duly carried out by his followers."
Legal Basis and Charges
The court found Kanu guilty on the first three of seven terrorism charges brought by the Federal Government. The September 2021 broadcast specifically violated section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2015, which prohibits acts intended to intimidate the population.
During the proceedings, the judge noted that Kanu repeatedly declined opportunities to provide context or explanation for his controversial broadcasts. This refusal ultimately contributed to the conviction on the initial counts as the judgment continued on the remaining charges.
Judicial Reasoning and Implications
In his analysis, Justice Omotosho characterized Kanu as "consumed by violence" and willing to accept casualties among his own supporters. The court determined that the IPOB leader had engaged in "preparatory acts of terrorism" through his inflammatory rhetoric.
This conviction represents a significant development in the Nigerian government's ongoing efforts to address separatist movements and maintain national security. The case has drawn widespread attention across Nigeria and internationally, with implications for freedom of speech versus national security considerations.
As the judicial process continues with the remaining charges, this verdict sets an important precedent for how Nigerian courts handle cases involving alleged incitement to violence through media broadcasts.
