Court Delays Nnamdu Kanu's Sentence for Over an Hour, Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty

The judge, who characterized the evidence against Mr. Kanu as undisputed, determined him guilty on all seven charges. The Federal High Court...

The judge, who characterized the evidence against Mr. Kanu as undisputed, determined him guilty on all seven charges.

The Federal High CourtThe court in Abuja has delayed the sentencing of the convicted Biafra activist Nnamdi Kanu by more than an hour.

Trial judge James Omotosho stood up at 2:42 p.m. on Thursday following Mr. Kanu's conviction on all seven charges.

The judge, who went to the chambers, vowed to come back at 3:50 p.m. for the sentencing.

Prior to the proceedings, the judge heard from the prosecution attorney, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Obi Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives, who represents Mr. Kanu's electoral area - the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency.

Although Mr. Aguocha requested the judge to show mercy in the sentencing, Mr. Awomolo demanded the death penalty for five of the seven charges.

The prosecutor stated that the judge is obligated by duty to carry out the death penalty on Mr. Kanu for terrorism-related charges 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.

Only the legal application of sentences remains. The penalty for the offenses listed in counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 is the death sentence.

Under Section 12(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2019. Your Honor, with all due respect, I state, Sir, as the prosecutor, that this court has no discretion in this matter.

The sole punishment that my Lordship will impose for charges 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 is the death penalty. This court has the authority to do so and, with all due respect, is obligated to do so.

The prosecutor also requested the court to prevent the inmate from having access to electronic devices and to place him in the most secure detention facility.

The trial judge, James Omotosho, previously found Mr. Kanu guilty of the terrorism offense, inciting violence against security officers and their families, the Lagos State government, and individuals who violated the stay-at-home directive.

Mr. Kanu was also found guilty of illegally bringing into Nigeria and storing in Ubulisluzor, within the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, a radio transmitter called Tram 50L hidden inside a container of second-hand household goods.

The verdict against Mr Kanu on Thursday echoes the conviction of another contentious Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa, by a Finnish court on September 1.

In its ruling, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, sentenced Mr. Ekpa to a six-year prison term.

for six years in prison after locating himguilty of terrorism-related charges.

The Nigerian authorities have been taking legal action against Mr. Kanu with seven charges, primarily connected to terrorism, since 2015.

Six of the seven allegations directed at Mr. Kanu were submitted under the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2013, which was updated in 2022.

Mr. Kanu stated that the seventh charge, related to the supposed unlawful importation of a radio transmitter into Nigeria, was directed by the Supreme Court to be dismissed.

The accusations arose from his supposed violent separatist efforts aimed at achieving independence for the Igbo-majority southeastern region of Nigeria, known as Biafra.

A Nigerian-British dual citizen consistently denied any misconduct, yet did not present a defense when requested by the court.

Copyright 2025 Premium Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1).

Tagged: Nigeria, Legal and Judicial Affairs, West Africa

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).