Overview
- Kanu was convicted on seven terrorism-related counts after the judge found his broadcasts and directives incited deadly attacks in southeast Nigeria.
- Judge James Omotosho rejected prosecutors’ push for the death penalty, saying he would temper justice with mercy and noting global opposition to capital punishment.
- Kanu was ejected from court following an outburst, had dismissed his lawyers, refused to call defense witnesses, and the court relied on unchallenged prosecution evidence.
- IPOB condemned the ruling, asserted no weapons or attack plans were found on Kanu, and said it would pursue peaceful advocacy and a UN‑supervised referendum.
- Security tightened around the Abuja court as residents in the southeast voiced anger over the sentence, while reports indicate a 90‑day window for appeal and prosecutors sought forfeiture of broadcast equipment and digital restrictions.