Terrorism: Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, jailed for life

*Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court Abuja Thursday, November 20, 2025, sentences Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal High Court sitting Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, sentenced Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment for offences bordering in terrorism in South-East Nigeria.

Justice James Omotoso, the presiding Judge, handed down the life imprisonment for Kanu on counts one, two, four, five, and six.

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Omotoso had opted for life imprisonment for the convicted IPOB leader instead of the death penalty.

In his judgement Thursday, the Judge also handed Kanu a 20-year jail term on count three, with no option of fine, and a five-year jail term on count seven, with no option of fine.

Justice Omotoso delivered the judgment after convicting Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism offences committed in the West African country.

The Judge asserted: “The death penalty is increasingly frowned upon by the international community. “Consequently, and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 instead of the death penalty.”

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The Judge also noted: “With respect to count 3, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with no option of fine, and for count 7, he is sentenced to five years with no option of fine.

“To extend mercy, I order that the sentences shall run concurrently.”

The Judge further declared: “I have no hesitation in concluding that the tendency for violence has not left the convict.

“As such, he must be kept in a facility suitable for his custody, as placing him in Kuje Correctional Centre may not be appropriate.”

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