By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Federal High Court In Abuja has convicted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu guilty of terrorism 10 years after he was first arrested.
The court said it was satisfied that Kanu had made series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, as part of his campaign for Biafra.
Delivering his judgement, Judge James Omotosho that Mr Kanu knew what he was doing, he was bent on carrying out these threats without consideration to his own people.
“From the incontroverted evidence, it is clear that the defendant carried out preparatory act of terrorism.
“He had the duty to explain himself but failed to do so.”
Ahead of the verdict, Kanu insisted that proceedings could not continue because he had not yet filed his final written address, accusing the judge of bias and not understanding the law.”
In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution’s case stood unchallenged, noting that Kanu neither presented a defence nor provided any explanation before he was removed from the courtroom for what the judge described as “repeated unruly behaviour”.
“This court, therefore, holds that the prosecution has established count one beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Omotosho declared. “Consequently, the defendant is hereby convicted in respect of count one.”
It was reported that the judge ordered proceedings, including the delivery of judgment, to continue in Kanu’s absence due to what he called the IPOB leader’s persistent disruption of the court.
Tension rose as security operatives escorted Kanu out after he openly challenged the court for dismissing his latest bail application.
Visibly agitated, Kanu repeatedly demanded that the judge show him “the law” that barred him from being granted bail during trial.
“Show me the law. Justice Omotosho, show me the law? Any judgement from this court is a kangaroo. It is premeditated,” Kanu shouted.
In response, Justice Omotosho appealed for calm.
“Please, I beg you to compose yourself. This is the Temple of Justice. You have the right to appeal,” he said before ordering Kanu’s removal when the disruptions continued.
The court ruled that Kanu’s fresh bail application fell outside the permissible categories of bail and violated Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The judge also stated that the defence had already entered its final written address, as ordered at an earlier sitting.
Drama heightened when Kanu insisted he had not forfeited his right to present a final written address.
He protested loudly, demanding that the court hear him before any ruling could proceed.
Eyewitnesses reported that the courtroom descended briefly into chaos as security personnel prepared to escort him out and Kanu continued to shout for “justice according to the law”.
Justice Omotosho had on 7 November fixed 20 November for judgment after ruling that Kanu failed to open his defence within the six days allocated to him.
Meanwhile, Kanu has challenged the validity of the terrorism charges against him, arguing that the repeal of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act renders the charges unlawful.
He asked the court to strike out the case, expunge the “purported plea of not guilty”, and order his release, maintaining that the proceedings were “a nullity” as the charges “disclosed no offence known to law”.
He also filed a fresh suit before the Court of Appeal seeking to halt Monday’s judgment, but the appellate court has yet to fix a hearing date and has issued no interim order.
Stonix News reported that Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 but he jumped bail in 2017 and left the country after a military raid on his home.
The court later revoked his bail in March 2019 and he was re-arrested in 2021 in Kenya.
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