Justice: ‘Life sentence for IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu sends strong message’ –Prosecution Counsel

*Adegboyega Awomolo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, lead prosecution counsel in the case of convicted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, describes the judgement as a strong message to those who ‘may think they are bigger than Nigeria’, that ‘no one is above’ the country’s laws

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who prosecuted the case involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has hailed a Federal High Court’s sentencing of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader to life imprisonment.

ConsumerConnect reports Chief Awomolo said this while speaking with reporters at the Federal High Court Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Abuja, after Justice James Omotoso, the presiding Judge, had convicted Kanu on seven counts of terrorism.

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Awomolo described the judgment as a strong message, that no one is above the country’s laws.

‘Nigeria bigger than everyone of us’

The prosecution counsel said: “So, I congratulate Nigeria today on seeing the end of this, and let it be a warning: those who may think they are bigger than Nigeria.

“Nigeria is bigger than everyone of us.”

He also asserted: “The law is bigger than everyone of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, to deal with terrorists, to deal with criminals.

“All of us are victims when we keep quiet; all of us are victims when we do not do what we ought to do.”

Awomolo as well lauded the Nigerian Judiciary for the verdict.

According to the SAN, Thursday’s judgement has saved Nigeria from the influence of the proscribed group IPOB.

He further stated: “Justice has been done, and Nigerians must, in one way or another, appreciate the Judiciary.

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“Just last Monday, the President said that anytime Nigeria is in serious trouble, the Judiciary has always come to the nation’s aid.”

The legal expert averred: “Today, the Judiciary has once again, salvaged Nigeria from the claws and oppression of the proscribed IPOB.

“The law is bigger than every one of us, and the law will take its course to deal with miscreants, terrorists, and criminals.”

How court convicted Kanu for terrorism

Earlier, Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court sitting Thursday, in Abuja, had sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of all seven counts of terrorism.

The Judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five, and six, a 20-year jail term on count three with no option of fine, and five years on count seven with no option of fine.

Justice Omotoso 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.”

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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